original meaning and definition

ORIGINAL noun

Definition of original (noun)

1. an original creation (i.e., an audio recording) from which copies can be made
   • synonyms: master, master copy
2. something that serves as a model or a basis for making copies
   • "this painting is a copy of the original"
   • synonyms: archetype, pilot

ORIGINAL adjective

Definition of original (adjective)

1. preceding all others in time or being as first made or performed
   • "the original inhabitants of the Americas"; "the book still has its original binding"; "restored the house to its original condition"; "the original performance of the opera"; "the original cast"; "retracted his original statement"
2. (of e.g. information) not secondhand or by way of something intermediary
   • "his work is based on only original, not secondary, sources"
3. being or productive of something fresh and unusual; or being as first made or thought of
   • "a truly original approach"; "with original music"; "an original mind"
   • antonym: unoriginal
4. not derived or copied or translated from something else
   • "the play is original; not an adaptation"; "he kept the original copy and gave her only a xerox"; "the translation misses much of the subtlety of the original French"