Definition

1. Noun:
   • The quality of being new, novel, or unique: The state or character of being fresh, inventive, and not copied or derived from something else.
   • The capacity for independent thought or creation: The ability to think, act, or produce ideas in a self-directed and innovative manner.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The originality of her artwork was immediately recognized by the critics.
  • His research paper was rejected for lacking originality; it relied too heavily on existing theories.
  • We value originality and creative thinking in our design team.

Advanced Usage

• "a spark/flash of originality": a sudden, brief instance of novel or creative thought.
  • The proposal, though mostly conventional, contained a welcome flash of originality.
• "to prize/value originality": to consider originality as highly important.
  • The festival prizes originality in storytelling above technical perfection.

Variants and Related Words

• Original (adj): Present or existing from the beginning; created directly and personally by a particular artist, not a copy.
  • This is the original manuscript.
• Original (n): The earliest form of something, from which copies can be made.
  • Keep the original and send a photocopy.
• Originate (v): To have a specified beginning; to create or initiate something.
  • The custom originates from an ancient tradition.

Synonyms

• Creativity: The use of imagination or original ideas to create something.
• Innovativeness: The quality of introducing new ideas or methods.
• Novelty: The quality of being new, original, or unusual.
• Ingenuity: The quality of being clever, original, and inventive.

Antonyms

• Derivativeness: The quality of being derived from a source, not original.
• Conventionality: The quality of being based on or conforming to what is generally done or believed.
• Imitation: The action of using someone or something as a model; a copy.

Noun

1. the quality of being new and original (not derived from something else)
2. the ability to think and act independently