originate
uh-RIHD-zhih-nayt
Originate (verb) means to come into existence, or to have a particular starting point. Example: “The tradition originated in medieval France.”
verb
1
To come into existence, or to have a particular starting point.
"The tradition originated in medieval France."
"The fire is believed to have originated in the kitchen."
2
To create or bring something into being.
"The company originated the idea of flat-pack furniture."
How to use originate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo start from somewhere, or to create something new.
When to use it
Fairly formal — "come from" or "start" work fine in everyday speech.
Common pairings
originate from
originate in
originated the idea
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- originates
- Past tense
- originated
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The tradition _____ in medieval France.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin originatus, from origo, "beginning" — a later formal verb built directly on the noun "origin."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for originate
See all rhymes for originate →Frequently asked questions
What does “originate” mean?
The word “originate” means to come into existence, or to have a particular starting point. In plain terms, to start from somewhere, or to create something new.
How do you pronounce “originate”?
“Originate” is pronounced uh-RIHD-zhih-nayt (/əˈɹɪd͡ʒɪneɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “originate” in a sentence?
Here is “originate” used in a sentence: “The tradition originated in medieval France.”
What is another word for “originate”?
Words with a similar meaning to “originate” include initiate and take shape.
What is the opposite of “originate”?
The opposite of “originate” — its antonyms — are terminate, end and destinate.
What part of speech is “originate”?
“Originate” is a verb.
Where does the word “originate” come from?
The word “originate” comes from Medieval Latin. From Medieval Latin originatus, from origo, "beginning" — a later formal verb built directly on the noun "origin.".
Is “originate” a common word?
“Originate” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
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