ORIGINAL Synonyms: 158 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

original 1 of 2

adjective

ə-ˈri-jə-nᵊl

Definition of original next

as in initial

coming before all others in time or order the original plan had to be discarded when the situation changed drastically

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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

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as in novel

not known or experienced before separate categories for original and adapted screenplays

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original

2 of 2

noun

as in prototype

something from which copies are made please make copies to hand out, but keep the original

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as in eccentric

a person of odd or whimsical habits the town's singing mailman is an original, all right

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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

Examples of original in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

This path differs from the one enforced upon the original Broadway production by the Tony Awards Administration Committee 20 years ago. —

Scott Feinberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Sep. 2024 Set in a prestigious 1920s building in the city’s tony Corso Venezia neighborhood, the apartment features 12-foot ceilings—many with intricate moldings—and original parquet and marble floors. —

Jackie Cooperman, Robb Report, 15 Sep. 2024

Noun

Over on Nielsen’s U.S. ranking of streaming originals, Cobra Kai again trailed The Boys, followed by Love Island (1.05 billion minutes viewed on Peacock/Netflix/Hulu), Netflix’s Vikings: Valhalla (713 million mnutes viewed) and Hulu’s The Bear (567 million minutes). —

Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 15 Aug. 2024 From Euphoria season 3 to new originals like Ramy Youssef's #1 Happy Family USA, here is every upcoming A24 TV show. —

Rendy Jones, EW.com, 14 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for original

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'original.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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“Original.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/original. Accessed 18 Sep. 2024.

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Last Updated: 18 Sep 2024 - Updated example sentences

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Synonyms of original

adjective

noun

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