novelty
NO-vuhl-tee
Novelty (noun) means the quality of being new, unusual, or interesting because it hasn't been seen before. Example: “The novelty of working from home wore off after a few months.”
noun
1
The quality of being new, unusual, or interesting because it hasn't been seen before.
"The novelty of working from home wore off after a few months."
"The children loved the novelty of seeing snow for the first time."
"Part of the charm of a new gadget is simply its novelty."
2
A small, cheaply made item bought mostly for fun or as a joke.
"The shop sold novelty mugs shaped like cartoon characters."
"At the seaside stall, I bought a novelty rubber duck with sunglasses."
"Those plastic glasses with a fake nose are just a novelty from a party shop."
How to use novelty
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething new and a bit exciting, or a fun little gadget/trinket.
Common mistake
The novelty of something usually fades — it describes the freshness of an experience, not a permanent quality.
Common pairings
novelty item
wear off
novelty value
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Word forms
- Plural
- novelties
Fill the gap
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The _____ of working from home wore off after a few months.
Etymology
From Old French novelté, ultimately from Latin novellus, "new."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for novelty
See all rhymes for novelty →Frequently asked questions
What does “novelty” mean?
The word “novelty” means the quality of being new, unusual, or interesting because it hasn't been seen before. In plain terms, something new and a bit exciting, or a fun little gadget/trinket.
How do you pronounce “novelty”?
“Novelty” is pronounced NO-vuhl-tee (/ˈnɑvəlti/ in IPA).
How do you use “novelty” in a sentence?
Here is “novelty” used in a sentence: “The novelty of working from home wore off after a few months.”
What part of speech is “novelty”?
“Novelty” is a noun.
Where does the word “novelty” come from?
The word “novelty” comes from Latin. From Old French novelté, ultimately from Latin novellus, "new.".
Is “novelty” a common word?
“Novelty” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “novelty” have?
“Novelty” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the quality of being new, unusual, or interesting because it hasn't been seen before.
What is the difference between novelty as a quality and a novelty item?
Novelty as a quality describes the abstract state of being new, unusual, or interesting because it hasn't been seen before, while a novelty item refers to a specific, often small and cheaply made object bought mainly for fun or as a joke, such as a novelty mug or novelty gift.
What does it mean when the novelty wears off?
This common phrase describes the moment when something that once felt new, exciting, or interesting becomes familiar and loses its initial appeal, since novelty by definition depends on something being unusual or unseen before.
What is the difference between novelty and innovation?
Novelty simply describes the quality of being new or unfamiliar, while innovation implies a meaningful improvement or advancement, often with practical value beyond just being new. Something can have novelty without being a genuine innovation.
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