Originality Meaning
/əˌɹɪd͡ʒɪˈnælɪti/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounThe quality of being original or novel.
nounThe capacity to think independently or be inventive.
Sentence Examples
The work I'm doing now requires originality.
I considered his originality of great importance.
Creativity and originality are more important than technical skill.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The critic praised the novel's ____ for its unique plot and characters.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The judges praised the artist's ____, noting that her work was unlike anything they had seen before.
Word Origin & History
From French originalité. By surface analysis, original + -ity.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The space at my disposal does not permit me to go into Mr. Bulleid's paper in detail, but it is impossible to refrain from an expression of admiration at the originality that has been packed into this outstanding design."
— 1946 March and April, Cecil J. Allen, “British Locomotive Practice and Performance”, in Railway Magazine, pages 105–106:
"Originality may be the capacity to look at the same facts and see new explanations."
— 2004, Richard Fortey, The Earth, Folio Society, published 2011, page 132:
"This story of how American originality lost its way is arresting and well told. On an alternate timeline without Donald Trump in office dismantling the American scientific establishment and Elon Musk kneecapping the American state, it might have been the manifesto of a new politics."
— 2025 March 18, Samuel Moyn, “Can Democrats Learn to Dream Big Again?”, in The New York Times, →ISSN, archived from the original on 27 Mar 2025:
"This houses a waiting room and gentlemen's toilets which, despite some new sanitary fittings in early BR days, fell out of use over 40 years ago, becoming dilapidated - and so remained as the only room on the station to retain its originality."
— 2021 December 15, Robin Leleux, “Awards honour the best restoration projects: The Railway Heritage Trust Conservation Award: Newcastle Central”, in RAIL, number 946, page 59:
"Church Street has been reclaimed from vendors who had encroached every bit of pedestrian walk. BBMP evicted more than 70 of them and restored to its originality."
— 2024 October 12, @bykarthikreddy, Twitter:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The critic praised the novel's ____ for its unique plot and characters.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The judges praised the artist's ____, noting that her work was unlike anything they had seen before.