original

uh-RIJ-i-nuhl/əˈɹɪd͡ʒɪnəl/

9 meanings of original

1
initialadjective
There from the very start. The first one, not added or changed later.
Like the roots of a tree: they came first, and everything else grew from them.
The original owner of the house planted these apple trees.
Our original plan was to walk, but we took the bus instead.
UsageUsually before the noun: the original owner. You can also say the floors are original.
Similarfirst, initial, earliest
2
source copyadjective
Being the first one, made before any copies or new versions.
The original photo is sharp, but the copy looks blurry.
Sign the copy and keep the original letter for yourself.
Similarinitial
Oppositeduplicate
3
own creationadjective
Newly made, not copied from anything that already exists.
She writes original stories instead of retelling old fairy tales.
The movie has original music written just for it.
Similarnew, novel, fresh
Oppositederivative, unoriginal, imitative
4
the real thingnouncountable
The actual thing made by its creator, rather than a copy, including an artist's work or a designer's garment.
The original of the painting hangs in a museum in Paris.
He lost the original, so now he only has a photocopy.
UsageSay the original of the painting. In the original means in its first language.
Oppositecopy, imitation, replica, forgery
5
fresh and differentadjective
New and different from what people usually see, hear, or do.
His costume was so original that nobody else at the party looked like him.
The chef makes original dishes that mix flavors in surprising ways.
UsageYou can say very original or not very original.
Similarfresh, novel, innovative, inventive, creative
Oppositeunoriginal, derivative, conventional, hackneyed
6
pioneeringadjective
Doing or thinking something first, before anyone else has done it.
Her original work on solar power came years before anyone else tried it.
His original research on bats began before anyone studied them seriously.
Similarpioneering, groundbreaking, innovative, seminal, inventive
Oppositeunoriginal, derivative

Less common meanings

7
adjective
Of a food or drink, the plain, usual kind with no extra flavors added.
Do you want original chips or the cheese ones?
He picked original popcorn because spicy food hurts his stomach.
UsageIt can stand alone as a flavor: cheese or original?
Similarplain, salted
Note
8
unique personnouncountable
A person who is very unusual and not like anyone else.
Everyone in town knew him as an original because he did things his own way.
Nobody can sing or write songs like her. She is a true original.
UsageOften a true original. It is usually a kind thing to say.
Similarindividualist, eccentric, character, maverick
Oppositeconformist, imitator
Note
9
nounrare
A male animal, usually a horse, born with one or both testicles still inside its body.

Practice

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Origin

From Latin origo, meaning "beginning, source, or origin," which passed through Late Latin and Old French into English.

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 2 facts

The ultimate Latin source is origo, meaning beginning, source, or origin. en.wiktionary.org
The derivation passes through Late Latin and Old French into English. en.wiktionary.org