origin
gb/ˈɔɹəd͡ʒən/ us/ˈɔɹəd͡ʒən/
B1
English
~ 2000
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
starting point of something
The place or time where something begins or comes from.
Usage pattern:
the origin of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'origin' with 'original'. 'Origin' is a noun for the starting point, while 'original' is usually an adjective meaning first or earliest form.
Synonyms
beginning (More general and can refer to the first part of an event or process, not just the source.)
|
source (Focuses on the cause or starting point of something, often abstract.)
Antonyms
end (Refers to the final part or point, opposite of starting point.)
Collocations
place of origin
|country of origin
|point of origin
|unknown origin
|true origin
Themes
history
|geography
|science
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The origin of the river is in the mountains.
- Scientists are studying the origin of the universe.
- Her family’s origin is in Italy.
- The origin of this tradition is unclear.
- We traced the origin of the smell to the kitchen.
Learner examples
- The origin of the story is in Japan.
- This food has its origin in India.
- The river’s origin is in the hills.
- We found the origin of the noise.
- The origin of my name is Greek.
Noun
B1
entity
2
person's ancestry or background
The country, culture, or family that a person comes from.
Usage pattern:
[someone's] origin
Common mistake:
Learners may incorrectly use 'origin' without a possessive when referring to a person ('She is origin French' instead of 'She is of French origin').
Synonyms
ancestry (More formal and focuses on family lineage.)
|
heritage (Emphasizes cultural traditions and values passed down.)
Antonyms
destination (In contexts discussing migration, it refers to where someone is going rather than where they come from.)
Collocations
national origin
|ethnic origin
|family origin
Themes
identity
|culture
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She is proud of her African origin.
- His national origin played a role in the application process.
- We discussed the origins of her family traditions.
- People of mixed origins often have diverse perspectives.
Learner examples
- My origin is in Brazil.
- He has Chinese origin.
- Her origin is from Spain.
- They talk about their origin often.
- Our teacher asked about our origin.
Noun
technical
B2
entity
3
reference point in coordinates
In math, the point (0,0) where lines meet in a graph.
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse 'origin' with 'axis' in graphs; 'axis' is a line, 'origin' is a point.
Synonyms
zero point (Directly describes coordinates being zero.)
Antonyms
arbitrary point (Any chosen point that is not fixed as (0,0).)
Collocations
graph origin
|origin point
Themes
mathematics
|science
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- In this diagram, the origin is at the center.
- All distances are measured from the origin.
- The curve passes through the origin.
Learner examples
- The line starts at the origin.
- The point (0,0) is the origin.
- We draw the axes through the origin.
Grammar
Dictionary form
origin
IPA
GB/ˈɔɹəd͡ʒən/
US/ˈɔɹəd͡ʒən/
Syllables & stress
ori - gin (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (ori)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: origin
- Plural: origin, origins
Word family
Forms
origins
noun
Core family
Related words
originality
noun B2
Negative and opposite forms
unoriginal
adjective
Advanced or less common
originator
noun C1
origination
noun
Expressions
of...origin
1/əfˈɔɹɪd͡ʒɪn/
fixed phrase
having a specific background or source
Used to show where something or someone comes from.
Examples
- She is of French origin.
- This fabric is of Chinese origin.
point of origin
1/pˈɔɪnt əv ˈɔɹəd͡ʒən/
fixed phrase
place where something starts
The place where something begins or comes from.
Examples
- Investigators found the point of origin for the fire.
- The package's point of origin was New York.