original

Existing or happening before later people or things of the same kind.

• The original owner still lives nearby.
• We returned to our original plan.
• The house still has its original windows.

Similar words: first, initial

Opposites: later

Common phrases: original owner, original plan, original version, original manuscript

New and interesting because it does not copy something already made.

• That is an original idea.
• She wrote a very original story.
• We need something more original for the advertisement.

Similar words: creative, inventive, innovative

Opposites: unoriginal

Common phrases: original idea, original design, original work

Thinking in new, interesting ways that are different from those of other people.

• She is an original thinker.
• His students found him wonderfully original.
• Few writers are as original as she is.

Similar words: creative, inventive

Opposites: unoriginal

Common phrases: original thinker, original artist, highly original person

Among the first people to develop a new activity, style, or way of doing something.

• She was one of the original pioneers of radio.
• The original players helped create a new musical style.
• Several original members shaped the movement in its early years.

Similar words: pioneering

Common phrases: original pioneers, original jazz players

The actual document or artwork, rather than a copy of it.

• Keep the original in a safe place.
• Is this painting an original?
• The museum owns several originals by this artist.

Opposites: copy

Common phrases: keep the original, copy of the original, signed original, copy the original