English Reference
Noun

originality

n. uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ɝˌɪdʒəˈnæɫɪti/ UK /əɹˌɪdʒɪnˈælɪti/ orig·i·nal·i·ty UK spelling originalities

n.the quality of being new, interesting, and different from anything else. You use this to describe someone who has fresh ideas instead of just copying others.

n.the ability to think independently or creatively; the quality of being novel or unusual. Often used to evaluate artistic or intellectual work.


SIMPLE

The judges praised the originality of her design.

CONTEXTUAL

While the plot follows a familiar pattern, the film's originality lies in its unique visual style and character development.

COMPLEX

Critics often debate whether true originality is possible in the modern era, or if every creative act is merely a sophisticated rearrangement of existing cultural fragments.

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the abstract quality; rarely used in the plural.

Matthijs Jansen, University of Göttingen, and co-leader of the study, highlights the originality of the team's approach: "We introduce two powerful new concepts.

ScienceDaily· 24 Aug 2026

When she first arrived in New York in the late 1950s, critics and fellow artists praised her originality.

The Guardian· 27 Aug 2026

From French originalité. By surface analysis, original + -ity.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin French originalité
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated