novelty

noun

nov·​el·​ty ˈnä-vəl-tē 

plural novelties

1

: something new or unusual

the novelty of a self-driving car

2

: the quality or state of being novel : newness

… a general uncritical acceptance of novelty as advance …

—H. M. Jones

A toy's novelty soon wears off.

3

: a small manufactured article intended mainly for personal or household adornment

—usually plural

Disney novelties filled the shelves.

4

: something (such as a song or food item) that provides often fleeting amusement and is often based on a theme

—often used before another noun

The movie included a few novelty songs.

Synonyms of novelty

• newness
• innovation
• freshness
• originality

Examples of novelty in a Sentence

the novelty of space exploration

Electric-powered cars are still novelties.

Eating shark meat is a novelty to many people.

Recent Examples on the Web

For millions of Americans, grabbing breakfast or coffee from a fast-food drive-thru is an ordinary part of the morning routine — but not long ago, ordering a meal without leaving the car was a novelty. — Sadie Chafe, FOXNews.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Willingness To Pay After Free Access Ends Watch what happens once novelty wears off and the free tier disappears. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026

The looks were topped with more fringes, feathers and crystal embroideries, as seen on playful handbags and novelty charm jewelry. — Emily Mercer, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2026

With each passing horse and occasional lecture to move farther off the trail, the novelty, and romance, wore off. — Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, 23 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English novelte, borrowed from Anglo-French novelté, from novel "new, novel entry 1" + -té -ty

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing novelty

• the novelty wears off

Kids Definition

novelty

noun

nov·​el·​ty ˈnäv-əl-tē 

plural novelties

1

: something new or unusual

2

: the quality or state of being novel : newness

3

: a small article intended mainly as an unusual ornament or toy

—usually used in plural

Legal Definition

novelty

noun

nov·​el·​ty ˈnä-vəl-tē 

plural novelties

: the quality or state of being new : quality of being different from anything in prior existence

satisfied the requirement of novelty for a patent on the design