ENGLISH
REFERENCE

originals

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ɝˈɪdʒənəɫz// UK //əɹˈɪdʒɪnəlz// orig·i·nals

n. the first or most important version of something, like a painting or a document. You use this word when you want to show that something is the real thing, not a copy.

n. the first or primary version of a work, document, or object, as opposed to a copy, reproduction, or derivative. Typically used in the plural to refer to authentic items in a collection.


SIMPLE

The museum displays the originals, not the copies.

CONTEXTUAL

She carefully stored the original contracts in a safe box.

COMPLEX

Art historians debated whether the sketches were preparatory studies or independent originals worthy of exhibition.

Synonyms

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