novelty

[ nov-uhl-tee ]
See synonyms for novelty on Thesaurus.com
noun,plural nov·el·ties.
  1. state or quality of being novel, new, or unique; newness: the novelty of a new job.

  2. a novel occurrence, experience, or proceeding: His sarcastic witticisms had ceased being an entertaining novelty.

  1. an article of trade whose value is chiefly decorative, comic, or the like and whose appeal is often transitory: a store catering to tourists who loaded up with souvenir pennants and other novelties.

adjective
  1. Textiles.

    • (of a weave) consisting of a combination of basic weaves.

    • (of a fabric or garment) having a pattern or design produced by a novelty weave.

    • (of yarn) having irregularities within the fibrous structure.

  2. of or relating to novelties as articles of trade: novelty goods; novelty items.

  1. having or displaying novelties: novelty shop.

Origin of novelty

1
1350–1400; Middle English novelte<Middle French novelete<Late Latin novellitās newness. See novel2, -ity

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use novelty in a sentence

  • Ellis's patent boot studs to save the sole, and the Euknemida, or concave-convex fastening springs, are the latest novelties.

    Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham | Thomas T. Harman and Walter Showell
  • Consisting of the most approved Novelties for the Nursery; printed in a superior manner upon good Paper, 1s.

    The Adopted Daughter | Elizabeth Sandham
  • Little he recked of this new turn of the wheel and how it would confirm his contempt of all our novelties.

    The New Machiavelli | Herbert George Wells
  • There is no rich and fickle man who does not feel that all his novelties are ancient.

    The Napoleon of Notting Hill | Gilbert K. Chesterton
  • Fergus Derrick was a young man, and young men were fond of novelties.

    That Lass O' Lowrie's | Frances Hodgson Burnett

British Dictionary definitions for novelty

novelty

/ (ˈnɒvəltɪ) /


nounplural -ties
    • the quality of being new and fresh and interesting

    • (as modifier): novelty value

  1. a new or unusual experience or occurrence

  1. (often plural) a small usually cheap new toy, ornament, or trinket

Origin of novelty

1
C14: from Old French novelté; see novel ²

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012