Synonyms of original

original 1 of 2

adjective

ə-ˈri-jə-nᵊl 

1

as in initial

coming before all others in time or order

the original plan had to be discarded when the situation changed drastically

Synonyms & Similar Words

• initial
• first
• earliest
• inaugural
• foremost
• maiden
• previous
• pioneer
• premier
• early
• primary
• ancient
• headmost
• primordial
• primeval
• leadoff
• prime
• virgin
• preceding
• primitive
• primal
• antecedent

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• last
• final
• latter
• latest
• ultimate
• terminal
• late
• subsequent
• following
• advanced
• terminating
• succeeding
• ensuing
• consequent
• penultimate

2

as in innovative

having the skill and imagination to create new things

an original artist who wanted his paintings to convey his emotional responses to the people, objects, and landscapes he painted

Synonyms & Similar Words

• innovative
• creative
• inventive
• imaginative
• innovational
• talented
• ingenious
• gifted
• prolific
• clever
• originative
• innovatory
• inspired
• Promethean
• resourceful
• generative
• fertile
• productive
• germinal
• fruitful
• fecund

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unimaginative
• unoriginal
• imitative
• uncreative
• uninspired
• uninventive
• unproductive
• infertile
• talentless

3

as in novel

not known or experienced before

separate categories for original and adapted screenplays

Synonyms & Similar Words

• novel
• new
• unfamiliar
• fresh
• unprecedented
• strange
• unknown
• unique
• unheard-of
• innovative
• unaccustomed
• nontraditional
• unconventional
• pioneering
• unused
• untried
• unworn
• trailblazing
• pathbreaking

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• old
• familiar
• traditional
• hackneyed
• tired
• conventional
• established
• time-honored
• derivative
• warmed-over
• tried
• tried-and-true
• imitative

original

2 of 2

noun

1

as in prototype

something from which copies are made

please make copies to hand out, but keep the original

Synonyms & Similar Words

• prototype
• source
• example
• blueprint
• archetype
• model
• classic
• paradigm
• mold
• pattern
• ideal
• exemplar
• draft
• paragon
• beau ideal
• nonpareil

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• copy
• reproduction
• imitation
• replica
• forgery
• sham
• fake
• counterfeit

2

as in character

a person of odd or whimsical habits

the town's singing mailman is an original, all right

Synonyms & Similar Words

• character
• eccentric
• oddball
• piece of work
• zany
• rarity
• crank
• screwball
• nut
• head case
• maverick
• oddity
• loony
• odd duck
• wacko
• crackpot
• flake
• weirdo
• fruitcake
• bohemian
• codger
• kook
• loon
• quiz
• nutcase
• nutter
• crack
• crackbrain
• freak
• nonconformist
• coot
• geezer
• curio
• quixote
• fantast
• fantastico

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sheep
• follower
• conformist
• conformer

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective original differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of original are fresh, new, and novel. While all these words mean "having recently come into existence or use," original applies to what is the first of its kind to exist.

a man without one original idea

Where would fresh be a reasonable alternative to original?

In some situations, the words fresh and original are roughly equivalent. However, fresh applies to what has not lost its qualities of newness such as liveliness, energy, brightness.

a fresh start

When can new be used instead of original?

The words new and original can be used in similar contexts, but new may apply to what is freshly made and unused, what has not been known before, or what has not been experienced before.

new brick

new designs

starts the new job

When would novel be a good substitute for original?

The words novel and original are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, novel applies to what is not only new but strange or unprecedented.

a novel approach to the problem

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of original

Adjective

The Committee draws inspiration from the original Committee for the First Amendment, when artists like Lucille Ball, Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Judy Garland, Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra and Jane’s father, Henry Fonda, stood up to government attacks during the McCarthy era. —Kirsten Chuba, HollywoodReporter, 7 May 2026

Onstage at Colbert, Stapleton offered a solo rendition of the ballad, backed only by Nelson’s longtime sideman, harmonica player Mickey Raphael, who played on the original recording. —Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 7 May 2026

Noun

The company is looking to build out its own content library and take ownership of more originals to increase its overall profitability. —Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 7 May 2026

This Polish bistro from owners Piotr and Iwona Nowocien expanded from the Miami original to its first Broward County perch in February 2025, across from the Pompano Beach Amphitheater. —Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 6 May 2026