novelty

noun

nov·​el·​ty ˈnä-vəl-tē How to pronounce novelty (audio)
plural novelties
1
: something new or unusual
the novelty of a self-driving car
2
: the quality or state of being novel : newness
an uncritical acceptance of novelty as advanceH. M. Jones
A toy's novelty soon wears off.
3
: a small manufactured article intended mainly for personal or household adornment
usually used in plural
Disney novelties filled the shelves.
4
: something (such as a song or food item) that provides often fleeting amusement and is often based on a theme
often used attributively
The movie included a few novelty songs.

Examples of novelty in a Sentence

the novelty of space exploration Electric-powered cars are still novelties. Eating shark meat is a novelty to many people.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The glowing accessory makes these cards extra unique, and kids will enjoy the novelty of a light-up gift. Jené Luciani Sena, Fox News, 31 Jan. 2025 Anthony Pisani, who served as the film’s location manager, enjoyed the novelty of bringing a production across the Hudson River. Addie Morfoot, Variety, 28 Jan. 2025 The perspective is refreshing for its relative novelty: Stories about the bustling metropolis tend to privilege walkers and straphangers. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Jan. 2025 The teen-age Susan Sontag, avid for novelty, became a regular. Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for novelty 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English novelte, borrowed from Anglo-French novelté, from novel "new, novel entry 1" + -té -ty

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of novelty was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near novelty

Cite this Entry

“Novelty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/novelty. Accessed 8 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

novelty

noun
nov·​el·​ty ˈnäv-əl-tē How to pronounce novelty (audio)
plural novelties
1
: something new or unusual
2
: the quality or state of being novel : newness
3
: a small article intended mainly as an unusual ornament or toy
usually used in plural

Legal Definition

novelty

noun
nov·​el·​ty ˈnä-vəl-tē How to pronounce novelty (audio)
plural novelties
: the quality or state of being new : quality of being different from anything in prior existence
satisfied the requirement of novelty for a patent on the design

More from Merriam-Webster on novelty

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