originate
gb/ɚˈɪd͡ʒənˌeɪt/ us/ɚˈɪd͡ʒənˌeɪt/
B1
English
~ 4300
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B1
action
1
to start from a source
To start or come from a place, thing, or idea.
Usage pattern:
[something] originates from [place/source]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'originate' with 'original'. 'Originate' is a verb meaning 'to start', while 'original' is usually an adjective meaning 'first' or 'new'.
Synonyms
come from (More informal and commonly used in everyday speech.)
|
derive (More formal, often used in academic or technical contexts.)
Antonyms
end (Refers to stopping or finishing rather than starting.)
Collocations
originate from
|originate in
|idea originated
|tradition originated
|project originated
Themes
general
|history
|science
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The custom originated in ancient China.
- This river originates from a spring high in the mountains.
- The idea originated from a casual conversation between colleagues.
- Modern jazz originated in the African American communities of New Orleans.
Learner examples
- The story originated in my town.
- This game originated in Japan.
- The idea originated from our teacher.
- The song originated in the 1980s.
Verb
B2
action
2
to create or start something
To make or start something for the first time.
Usage pattern:
[someone] originates [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this meaning with simply starting to use something; here it means being the first to create it.
Synonyms
invent (Implies creating something completely new.)
|
initiate (Focuses on starting an action or process.)
Antonyms
copy (Means to reproduce something that already exists rather than create it.)
Collocations
originate a plan
|originate a project
|originate a loan
|originate an idea
Themes
business
|innovation
|arts
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She originated the concept for the new marketing campaign.
- The bank originated several new loans last month.
- He originated a new method for teaching reading.
- The committee originated the proposal that was later adopted.
Learner examples
- She originated the plan for the trip.
- The bank originated the loan.
- He originated a new game.
- They originated a new way to cook rice.
Grammar
Dictionary form
originate
IPA
GB/ɚˈɪd͡ʒənˌeɪt/
US/ɚˈɪd͡ʒənˌeɪt/
Syllables & stress
ori - gin - ate (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (ori)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: originate
- 3rd Person Singular: originates
- Present Participle: originating
- Past: originated
Word family
Forms
originates
verb
originating
verb
originated
verb
Core family
Related words
originality
noun B2
originator
noun C1
Negative and opposite forms
unoriginal
adjective
Advanced or less common
origination
noun
Expressions
originate from
1/ɚˈɪd͡ʒənˌeɪt fɹˈʌm/
fixed phrase
to come from a source
To start or come from a certain place or thing.
Examples
- These traditions originate from rural communities.
- The signal originates from a satellite orbiting Earth.
originate in
1/ɚˈɪd͡ʒənˌeɪt ˈɪn/
fixed phrase
to start in a location or period
To start in a certain place or time.
Examples
- The conflict originated in the early 20th century.
- This festival originated in Spain.