unoriginal

/'ʌnə'ridʤənl/

Thân thiện

The manuscript contained unoriginal emendations.

Definition

Adjective: 1. Lacking originality; not new or novel: Describes something that is not fresh, creative, or inventive. It often implies that the thing is derived from or imitates something else. 2. Conventional or imitative: Describes something that follows established patterns, ideas, or styles without adding anything new or personal.

Usage and Examples

• Describing ideas or work: Used to characterize creative output (e.g., writing, art, music, ideas) as derivative or lacking in innovation.
  • The film's plot was unoriginal and predictable.
  • Critics panned the artist's latest exhibition as unoriginal and repetitive.
• Describing people or behavior: Used to describe a person whose actions, thoughts, or lifestyle are conventional and do not deviate from the norm.
  • He led an unoriginal life, following the same routine for decades.
  • Her essay was marked down for being unoriginal and relying too heavily on other sources.

Advanced Usage

• "unoriginal sin": A pun or play on the theological term "original sin," used humorously or critically to describe a fundamental lack of creativity or a tendency to copy.
  • His unoriginal sin was plagiarizing a famous author's style.

Variants and Related Words

• Unoriginally (adverb): In an unoriginal manner.
  • The concept was unoriginally executed.
• Unoriginality (noun): The state or quality of being unoriginal.
  • The unoriginality of the design was its main flaw.

Synonyms

• Derivative: Imitative of the work of another artist, writer, etc.
• Imitative: Copying or following a model or example.
• Conventional: Based on or in accordance with what is generally done or believed.
• Hackneyed: (Of a phrase or idea) lacking significance through having been overused; unoriginal and trite.
• Clichéd: Showing a lack of originality; based on frequently repeated phrases or situations.

Antonyms

• Original: Present or existing from the beginning; created directly and personally by a particular artist; not a copy.
• Innovative: Featuring new methods; advanced and original.
• Creative: Relating to or involving the use of imagination or original ideas to create something.
• Novel: New or unusual in an interesting way.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. not original; not being or productive of something fresh and unusual
   • the manuscript contained unoriginal emendations
   • his life had been unoriginal, conforming completely to the given pattern- Gwethalyn Graham