orig·i·nal
ə-ˈri-jə-nᵊl 
-ˈrij-nəl
1
2
a
: not secondary, derivative, or imitative
an original composition
b
: being the first instance or source from which a copy, reproduction, or translation is or can be made
3
: independent and creative in thought or action : inventive
an original artist
1
a
: that from which a copy, reproduction, or translation is made
gave her a copy of the report and kept the original
b
: a work composed firsthand
This painting is a Van Gogh original.
2
a
: a person of fresh initiative or inventive capacity
an original among popular pianists, combining jazz and romantic techniques in an unusually effective manner—
Douglas Watt
Douglas Watt
b
: a unique or eccentric person
Among other comedians he's an original.
3
Synonyms
Examples of original in a Sentence
Adjective
Their original idea was to fix their old car, but they decided to buy a new one instead.
The word's original meaning was very different from its current meaning.
I gave her a copy and kept the original document myself.
The book has been translated into English from the original Spanish.
The concept is very original.
The car has a highly original design.
She has a very original and creative mind.
He is admired as an original American composer.
Noun
I gave her a copy of the report and kept the original.
This isn't a reprint, it's an original.
Compared to other actresses of her generation, she is a true original.
Recent Examples on the WebBasem Wasef, Robb Report, 23 Apr. 2024
Sugie Sugarman on The Phil Silvers Show, the sidekick of Dennis Weaver’s character on McCloud and Colonel Tigh on the original version of Battlestar Galactica, has died.
—Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Apr. 2024
Sean Lee said his parents bought the business from the original owners in 1985 and have kept the business in the family since then.
—Isha Trivedi, The Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2024
Post Malone, Vault Comics and Michael Bay and Brad Fuller’s Platinum Dunes have partnered to create an all-new IP universe based on an original story by the recording artist.
—Katcy Stephan, Variety, 23 Apr. 2024
The actor wore a shorter version of the original version, allowing the voluminous tulle underskirt to peek out from the raw hem.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 23 Apr. 2024
Fifty years later, it was discovered in an attic in the British countryside, while the original guitar case (made by the Australian company Maton) was found in the trash and rescued.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 23 Apr. 2024
In other words, the old saw that the Inuit people have 50 words for snow may be wildly exaggerated (the original observation by the anthropologist Franz Boas isolated only four ways of describing snow), but there is something to it.
—Ross Perlin, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024
The Paramount film is based on an original idea from A Quiet Place filmmaker Krasinski and is directed by Pig’s Michael Sarnoski, who also wrote the script.
—Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Apr. 2024
Jack Smart, Peoplemag, 12 Apr. 2024
The footage featured new music and stunning visuals in the same vein as the original.
—Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Apr. 2024
The original streamed on Dropout in 2019, followed by a second season beginning in 2020.
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 8 Apr. 2024
And a design that builds on the original and extends farther into the sea.
—Emily Alvarenga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2024
There’s no set timeline yet, but fans of the 1996 original can rest assured: Happy will be picking up a nine iron once again.
—Eva Hartman, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2024
Netflix originals are generally released at 3 a.m. ET/12 a.m.
—Emily Deletter, USA TODAY, 3 Apr. 2024
The sequel, for all its punches and counterpunches, Iowa’s long-distance bombs and L.S.U.’s relentless rebounding, is unlikely to have the lingering impact of the original.
—Billy Witz, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2024
While some of the new recordings largely stay true to the originals, others add a new dimension.
—Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 29 Mar. 2024
Adjective
The two collaborated on restoration projects, often discussing color combinations for vehicles since the configurations of many French Art Deco-era cars were not necessarily documented from original.
—Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 23 Apr. 2024
Sugie Sugarman on The Phil Silvers Show, the sidekick of Dennis Weaver’s character on McCloud and Colonel Tigh on the original version of Battlestar Galactica, has died.
—Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Apr. 2024
Sean Lee said his parents bought the business from the original owners in 1985 and have kept the business in the family since then.
—Isha Trivedi, The Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2024
Post Malone, Vault Comics and Michael Bay and Brad Fuller’s Platinum Dunes have partnered to create an all-new IP universe based on an original story by the recording artist.
—Katcy Stephan, Variety, 23 Apr. 2024
The actor wore a shorter version of the original version, allowing the voluminous tulle underskirt to peek out from the raw hem.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 23 Apr. 2024
Fifty years later, it was discovered in an attic in the British countryside, while the original guitar case (made by the Australian company Maton) was found in the trash and rescued.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 23 Apr. 2024
In other words, the old saw that the Inuit people have 50 words for snow may be wildly exaggerated (the original observation by the anthropologist Franz Boas isolated only four ways of describing snow), but there is something to it.
—Ross Perlin, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024
The Paramount film is based on an original idea from A Quiet Place filmmaker Krasinski and is directed by Pig’s Michael Sarnoski, who also wrote the script.
—Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Apr. 2024
Noun
Following its release, a live-action remake of the original is also on the horizon.
—Jack Smart, Peoplemag, 12 Apr. 2024
The footage featured new music and stunning visuals in the same vein as the original.
—Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Apr. 2024
The original streamed on Dropout in 2019, followed by a second season beginning in 2020.
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 8 Apr. 2024
And a design that builds on the original and extends farther into the sea.
—Emily Alvarenga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2024
There’s no set timeline yet, but fans of the 1996 original can rest assured: Happy will be picking up a nine iron once again.
—Eva Hartman, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2024
Netflix originals are generally released at 3 a.m. ET/12 a.m.
—Emily Deletter, USA TODAY, 3 Apr. 2024
The sequel, for all its punches and counterpunches, Iowa’s long-distance bombs and L.S.U.’s relentless rebounding, is unlikely to have the lingering impact of the original.
—Billy Witz, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2024
While some of the new recordings largely stay true to the originals, others add a new dimension.
—Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 29 Mar. 2024
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.
Dictionary Entries Near original
Cite this Entry
“Original.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/original. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
original
1 of 2 noun
orig·i·nal
ə-ˈrij-ən-ᵊl
-nəl
: something from which a copy or translation is made
original
2 of 2 adjectiveLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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