original

Original is an adjective meaning existing from the beginning; not copied or derived from something else; also meaning unique, innovative, or creative in nature. In everyday use, something can be described as original when it stems from the inventor or originator rather than being an exact copy. The term also denotes authenticity, as in genuine or real, and can apply to ideas, works, or objects.

As a noun, "the original" refers to the first or earliest form of something, such as the original manuscript, painting, or recording, which may be used as a source for reproductions or for comparison with later versions. In copyright law, an original work is one that involves a minimum degree of creativity and is fixed in a tangible medium; originality is a key criterion for protection.

Original derives from Latin originalis, from origo "origin." It entered English via Old French original and Middle English, with senses broadened from the source to denote both origin and novelty.

The word often contrasts with "copy," "reproduction," or "derivative." It is commonly used in discussions of art, design, literature, and technology to distinguish first forms or new ideas from imitations. Related terms include originality, authentic, and novel, though they carry distinct nuances: authentic implies genuineness; novel implies newness without necessarily being original.