Words / C1

uh-RIJ-in-ayt/əˈrɪdʒɪneɪt/

To originate is to begin or first appear somewhere, or to create: originate in, originate from, originate a scheme. Start and come from are everyday; origin is the noun. Original (already in the dictionary) is first or new. Do not originate a rumour in the minutes as if that were sourcing.

Meaning

To begin or first appear in a particular place; to create something.

Examples

• “The rumour originated in a mislabelled spreadsheet, not in the minutes.”
• “The rumour originated in a mislabelled column, which the log still showed.”
• “Come from is everyday. Origin is the noun. Original work is not the same as “where the file originated”. Create is for people making something new.”

Good to know

Start / come from. Noun: origin. Everyday: start / come from. Adjective cousin: original. Minutes should source, not originate gossip.

Near in meaning

start

New