Novelty

/ˈnɒv.əl.ti/

Meaning & Definition

noun
The quality of being new, original, or unusual.
The novelty of the product attracted many customers.
A small, inexpensive toy or ornament.
The children enjoyed playing with the novelties from the party shop.
The state of being novel; newness.
There was a certain novelty to living in a different country.

Etymology

From Latin 'novus' meaning 'new'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

novelty item
An unusual or rare article, often designed for fun or amusement.
new novelty
Something that is recently introduced; conveying freshness.

Related Words

novel
A fictitious prose narrative of book length.
innovation
The act of introducing something new.

Slang Meanings

A trendy or fashionable item.
That shirt is such a novelty right now!
Something that quickly becomes outdated or uninteresting.
Now that everyone's seen it, that trend feels like a novelty.