Words / C1

NOVLT-ee/ˈnɒvlti/

Novelty is newness that still feels unusual: the novelty wore off; a novelty toy (cheap unusual gadget). Newness is everyday; innovation (already in the dictionary) is useful new method. Novel as an adjective is “new”; as a noun, a book. Do not call a replicated, boringly solid method a novelty as if that were praise.

Meaning

The quality of being new and unusual; also a cheap unusual toy.

Examples

• “The novelty of the portal wore off when the login failed in week two.”
• “The novelty of the portal died in week two, when the login failed at 9 a.m.”
• “A novelty keyring is the gadget sense. Innovation claims usefulness; novelty can be a fad. A novel (book) is a different noun.”

Good to know

Newness, often short-lived; also a novelty gadget. Close: newness. Stronger/useful: innovation. Mix-up: novel (book / “new”). Not a compliment for a solid method.

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