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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.

To better understand the origin of this signal, scientists look beyond our galaxy.

From Science Daily • Apr. 10, 2026

It would be hard to think of an artist with a more fraught origin story than Noguchi.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

Symbols lose their value if we forget where they came from, if we lose connection with their primordial origin.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

Ending dual citizenship would force me to choose between the country of my origin and the country of my parents’ origin.

From Salon • Apr. 4, 2026

This was the missing link in Darwin's logic: reproductive incompatibility, ultimately derived from genetic incompatibility, drove the origin of novel species.

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee

Vocabulary lists containing origin

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