Dictionary monolingual
English

Originate

əˈrɪdʒəˌneɪt
Common
~ 4200
~ 4200
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000. This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.

Originate -

To have a specified beginning or cause; to come into existence

Example: The tradition of sending holiday cards originated in the 19th century.
Usage: formalContext: academic discussions, historical contexts
Note: Commonly used to describe the starting point or source of something.

To be the originator, creator, or source of something

Example: The idea for the new marketing campaign originated from the CEO.
Usage: formalContext: business meetings, creative processes
Note: Often used in professional settings to attribute the creation of an idea or concept to a specific person or group.

To come from a particular place or have a specific origin

Example: The dish originates from Italy and has become popular worldwide.
Usage: formal/informalContext: culinary discussions, cultural contexts
Note: Used to describe the geographical or cultural roots of something.

Originate's synonyms

originate

To come into existence or begin from a specific source.
Example: The idea originated from a brainstorming session.
Note: N/A

stem from

To have a specific cause or origin.
Example: His fear of spiders stems from a childhood incident.
Note: Emphasizes a direct cause or source.

derive from

To have something as a source or origin.
Example: The word 'ballet' derives from the Italian word 'balletto'.
Note: Focuses on tracing back to the original source.

spring from

To originate or arise from a particular source.
Example: Her artistic talents spring from a family of musicians.
Note: Conveys a sense of sudden emergence or rapid development.

Originate expressions, common phrases

Origin of

This phrase is used to talk about the beginning or source of something.
Example: The origin of the universe is a topic of great debate among scientists.
Note: It specifically refers to where something came from or started.

Origin story

Refers to a narrative that explains the beginning or background of a character or concept.
Example: Every superhero has an origin story that explains how they got their powers.
Note: It focuses on the story or account of how something began.

Originate from

Indicates the source or starting point of something.
Example: The tradition of exchanging gifts during Christmas originates from ancient customs.
Note: It emphasizes the specific place or time where something began.

Originate in

Refers to the place or circumstances where something originated.
Example: The idea for the new product originated in a brainstorming session last month.
Note: It highlights the location or context where something started.

Originated as

Describes the original form or state of something before it became what it is now.
Example: The company originated as a small family business in the 1950s.
Note: It denotes the initial state or condition of something before any changes.

Trace back to

Refers to finding the origins of something in the past.
Example: The tradition of blowing out birthday candles traces back to ancient Greece.
Note: It specifically involves investigating and discovering the historical roots of something.

Rooted in

Indicates a deep connection or strong foundation in something.
Example: Her love for music is rooted in her childhood experiences with her grandmother.
Note: It denotes a strong and foundational relationship with something rather than just the starting point.

Originate everyday (slang) expressions

Spawned from

To describe something that originates from or is created as a result of another source.
Example: The TV show 'Friends' spawned a new wave of sitcoms.
Note: This term implies a direct connection or influence from the original source.

Evolved out of

To suggest something has developed or arisen from a particular source over time.
Example: Hip hop music evolved out of a blend of various music styles.
Note: This term emphasizes a process of gradual change or development over the original source.

Grew from

To indicate something has developed or originated from a specific starting point or relationship.
Example: Their friendship grew from a shared love of hiking.
Note: This term highlights a continuous and organic development from the original source.

Sprung from

To convey that something originates suddenly or unexpectedly from a particular source or inspiration.
Example: Her idea for the novel sprung from a childhood memory.
Note: This term conveys a sense of sudden emergence or inspiration as the origin.

Blossomed from

To describe something that has flourished or grown from a specific origin or influence.
Example: The fashion trend blossomed from street culture influences.
Note: This term emphasizes growth, development, and positive transformation from the original source.

Derived from

To indicate that something has been obtained or originated directly from a specific source or root.
Example: The word 'robot' is derived from the Czech word 'robota'.
Note: This term focuses on the direct connection between the source and the derived outcome.

Descended from

To suggest a direct ancestral or historical connection to the origin of something.
Example: The modern sport of basketball descended from James Naismith's original game.
Note: This term specifically denotes a direct lineage or ancestry from the original source.

Originate - Examples

The idea originated from a conversation we had last week.
The tradition of wearing costumes on Halloween originates from ancient Celtic festivals.
The river originates in the mountains and flows into the sea.

Originate grammar

Originate - Verb (Verb) / Verb, base form (Verb, base form)
Lemma: originate
Conjugations
Verb, past tense (Verb, past tense): originated
Verb, gerund or present participle (Verb, gerund or present participle): originating
Verb, 3rd person singular present (Verb, 3rd person singular present): originates
Verb, base form (Verb, base form): originate
Verb, non-3rd person singular present (Verb, non-3rd person singular present): originate
Syllables, Separation and Stress
originate Contains 3 syllables: orig • i • nate
Phonetic transcription: ə-ˈri-jə-ˌnāt
orig i nate , ə ˈri ˌnāt (The red syllable is stressed)

Originate - Importance and usage frequency

The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.
originate: ~ 4200 (Common).
This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
Vocafy, efficient language learning
Vocafy, efficient language learning
Vocafy helps you discover, organize, and learn new words and phrases with ease. Build personalized vocabulary collections, and practice anytime, anywhere.