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Definitions

origin

[awr-i-jin, or-] / ˈɔr ɪ dʒɪn, ˈɒr- /
NOUN
cause, basis
Synonyms
STRONGEST
ancestor ancestry connection element influence motive provenance root source
STRONG
agent antecedent author base causality causation creator derivation determinant egg embryo fountain generator germ impulse inception inducement inspiration mainspring nucleus occasion parent parentage principle producer progenitor provenience roots seed spring stock well wellspring
WEAK
horse's mouth
Antonyms
STRONG
conclusion effect end ending result
WEAK
close completion consequence death destiny finale goal outcome outgrowth termination
NOUN
beginning, inception
Synonyms
STRONGEST
birth genesis
STRONG
alpha commencement creation dawn dawning embarkation emergence entrance entry forging foundation inauguration ingress initiation introduction launch nativity opener origination outbreak outset rise start
WEAK
blast off day one early stage git go square one starting point
Antonyms
STRONGEST
conclusion end finish
STRONG
close completion death ending exit stop
WEAK
consequence destiny effect finale goal outcome outgrowth result termination
NOUN
family, heritage
Synonyms
STRONGEST
ancestry birth descent lineage
STRONG
beginnings blood extraction maternity parentage paternity pedigree stock
Antonyms
WEAK
close completion conclusion consequence death destiny effect end finale goal outcome outgrowth result termination

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The origin of Boston money management goes back to law firms like Choate Hall & Stewart and Hemenway & Barnes, which uniquely have investment management businesses tucked into their practices.

From Barron's • May 1, 2026

Announcing the move, Communities Secretary Steve Reed said "the anonymity inherent in crypto transactions could make it easier to mask the origin of donations and evade robust checks on the true source of funds".

From BBC • Apr. 30, 2026

Other origin stories claim that pretzels were called “bracchiatus,” the Latin term for “branches” or “arm,” which was derived by the Germans to create “bretzel,” ultimately inspiring the name we use today.

From Salon • Apr. 28, 2026

"The study also reveals that early snakes retained their hindlimbs for an extended period of time before the origin of modern snakes which are for the most part, completely limbless."

From Science Daily • Apr. 24, 2026

Clearly, if much of our knowledge is analogical in origin it cannot be certain, and the real causes of events may always escape us.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Vocabulary lists containing origin

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