ENGLISH
REFERENCE

novelty

n. C / U
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈnɑvəɫti// UK //nˈɒvəlti// nov·el·ty

n. the quality of being new, original, or unusual. You also use it to describe a small, cheap object that is made to be funny or interesting.

n. the quality of being new, original, or unusual; also refers to a small, inexpensive manufactured object intended for amusement or souvenir purposes.


SIMPLE

The novelty of the new job wore off after a month.

CONTEXTUAL

The shop sells various novelties like plastic sunglasses and keychains to tourists visiting the beach.

COMPLEX

While the initial novelty of remote work provided a boost in morale, many employees eventually found the lack of physical social interaction detrimental to their long-term creativity.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English novelte, from Old French novelté (Modern French nouveauté), from the adjective novel, ultimately from Latin novellus. By surface analysis, novel + -ty.

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the quality of being new; countable when referring to a physical object or toy.

© 2026 English Reference