- original
- original o‧rig‧i‧nal [əˈrɪdʒnl, -dʒnəl] adjective [only before a noun]happening or existing first:
• Which is theoriginal document and which is the copy?
• The index-linked certificates were paying indexation plus 4% of the original investment.
— original noun [countable] :• Send us a signed copy of the invoice and keep the original.
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Ⅰ.original UK US /əˈrɪdʒənəl/ adjective► spoken, written, or existing first: »The final cost was much greater than the contractor's original estimate.
»We have more than doubled our original investment.
»His original plan was to stay two to three years, but he loved the job so much that he has never left.
»Please do not send original documents with your application.
► not the same as anything or anyone else and for that reason special and interesting: original idea/suggestion, etc. »We need some original ideas that will increase sales.
»She's a highly original young designer.
Ⅱ.original UK US /əˈrɪdʒənəl/ noun [C]► the first one made and not a copy: »Can you let me have the original of your report?
»Sign the original and return it to us, keeping the copy for your records.
»The new version is worse in every respect - I much preferred the original.
Financial and business terms. 2012.