Novelty Meaning
/ˈnɑvəlti/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounThe state of being new or novel; newness.
nounA new product; an innovation.
Sentence Examples
A novelty wears off in time.
Some people prefer conformity, while others seek novelty.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The new gadget was a ____ that attracted many curious customers at the tech fair.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The initial ____ of the new gadget quickly wore off after the first few weeks of use.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English novelte, from Old French novelté (Modern French nouveauté), from the adjective novel, ultimately from Latin novellus. By surface analysis, novel + -ty.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"It was by no means pleasant to realize that there was an unknown number of menaces up there over your head, quietly circling and circling until someone should arrange for them to drop - and that there was nothing to be done about them. Still, life has to go on - and novelty is a wonderfully short-lived thing. One became used to the idea perforce."
— 1951, John Wyndham, The Day of the Triffids, Harmondsworth: Penguin Books, published 1954, page 28:
"Men In Black 3 lacks the novelty of the first film, and its take on the late ’60s feels an awful lot like a psychedelic dress-up party, all broad caricatures and groovy vibes."
— 2012 May 24, Nathan Rabin, “Film: Reviews: Men In Black 3”, in The Onion AV Club, archived from the original on 25 Jul 2012:
"Reconciling profound enquiry with clearness, and truth with novelty."
— 1748, David Hume, Enquiries concerning the human understanding and concerning the principles of moral., London: Oxford University Press, published 1973, § 10:
"One released image shows Trump with six women with leis whose faces were redacted by committee members, while another depicts what appears to be a bowl of novelty condoms with a caricature of Trump’s face with the text, “I’m HUUUUGE!” The condoms – shown in a bowl with a “Trump condom $4.50” sign – were produced by a novelty shop in New York City named Fishs Eddy."
— 2025 December 12, Kaitlan Collins, Annie Grayer, “New photos released from Epstein’s estate showing Trump, Bannon, Bill Clinton and other high-profile people”, in CNN:
"Topalov has unveiled some interesting novelties lately, but there was nothing unusual in his opening here. Sasikiran played the Nimzo-Indian, and Topalov replied with probably the most classical continuation."
— 2007 May 27, Dylan Loeb Mcclain, “What Defines the Very Best? For Topalov, It's Fearlessness”, in The New York Times, archived from the original on 26 Nov 2022:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The new gadget was a ____ that attracted many curious customers at the tech fair.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The initial ____ of the new gadget quickly wore off after the first few weeks of use.