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¹original

noun orig·i·nal \ə-ˈrij-ə-n^əl, -ˈrij-nəl\

: a document, film, painting, etc., which is created by someone and from which a copy or translation is made

: a person who is different from other people in an appealing or interesting way

Full Definition of ORIGINAL

archaic : the source or cause from which something arises; specifically : originator

a : that from which a copy, reproduction, or translation is made

b : a work composed firsthand

a : a person of fresh initiative or inventive capacity

b : a unique or eccentric person

See original defined for English-language learners

See original defined for kids

First Known Use of ORIGINAL

14th century

Related to ORIGINAL

Synonyms: archetype, prototype

²original

adjective

: happening or existing first or at the beginning

: made or produced first : not a copy, translation, etc.

: not like others : new, different, and appealing

Full Definition of ORIGINAL

: of, relating to, or constituting an origin or beginning : initial <the original part of the house>

a : not secondary, derivative, or imitative <an original composition>

b : being the first instance or source from which a copy, reproduction, or translation is or can be made

: independent and creative in thought or action : inventive <an original artist>

See original defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of ORIGINAL

14th century

Related to ORIGINAL

Synonyms: earliest, foremost, headmost, inaugural, initial, leadoff, maiden, first, pioneer, premier, virgin

Antonyms: final, last, latest, latter, terminal, terminating, ultimate

Synonym Discussion of ORIGINAL

new, novel, original, fresh mean having recently come into existence or use. new may apply to what is freshly made and unused <new brick> or has not been known before <new designs> or not experienced before <starts the new job>. novel applies to what is not only new but strange or unprecedented <a novel approach to the problem>. original applies to what is the first of its kind to exist <a man without one original idea>. fresh applies to what has not lost its qualities of newness such as liveliness, energy, brightness <a fresh start>.

ORIGINAL[1] Defined for Kids

¹original

adjective orig·i·nal \ə-ˈri-jə-n^əl\

Definition of ORIGINAL for Kids

: of or relating to the source or beginning : first <My room is in the original part of an old house.>

: not copied from anything else : not translated : new <an original painting> <an original idea>

: able to think up new things : creative

— orig·i·nal·ly adverb

²original

noun

Definition of ORIGINAL for Kids

: something that is produced by an artist or writer and from which a copy or translation can be made <The paintings are originals.> <She read the Russian novel in the original.>