Original
Pronunciation
- IPA: /əˈɹɪdʒɪnəl/
Origin
From Middle English original, from Old French original, from Late Latin originalis ("primitive, original"), from Latin origo ("beginning, source, origin"); see origin.
Full definition of original
Adjective
original
- (not comparable) Relating to the origin or beginning; preceding all others.the original state of mankind; the original laws of a country; the original inventor of a process
- 1944, Miles Burton, The Three Corpse Trick Chapter 5, The hovel stood in the centre of what had once been a vegetable garden, but was now a patch of rank weeds. Surrounding this, almost like a zareba, was an irregular ring of gorse and brambles, an unclaimed vestige of the original common.
- (not comparable) First in a series or copies/versions.The original manuscript contained spelling errors which were fixed in later versions.This recording is by the original broadway cast.
- 1963, Margery Allingham, The China Governess Chapter 1, The original family who had begun to build a palace to rival Nonesuch had died out before they had put up little more than the gateway, ….
- (not comparable) Newly created.Tonight we will hear an original work by one of our best composers.
- (comparable) Fresh, different.The paper contains a number of original ideas about color perception.
- (not comparable) Pioneering.Parker was one of the original bebop players.
- (not comparable) Having as its origin.This kind of barbecue is original to North Carolina.
Antonyms
Derived terms
Related terms
Noun
original
(plural originals)- An object or other creation (e.g. narrative work) from which all later copies and variations are derivedThis manuscript is the original
- A person with a unique and interesting personality and/or creative talentYou’re an original
- (archaic) An eccentric