noun
novelty
NO-vuhl-tee
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."
2
A small, cheaply made item bought mostly for fun or as a joke.
"The shop sold novelty mugs shaped like cartoon characters."
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
Word Forms
novelties plural
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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."