unoriginal

adjective

un·​orig·​i·​nal ˌən-ə-ˈrj-jə-nᵊl 

-ˈrij-nəl

: lacking originality : not original

an unoriginal idea

a movie with a highly unoriginal plot

an unoriginal thinker

Synonyms

• apish
• canned
• emulative
• epigonic
• epigonous
• formulaic
• imitative
• mimetic
• mimic
• slavish

Examples of unoriginal in a Sentence

critics faulted the novel for having a painfully unoriginal plot

Recent Examples on the Web

Catching Up Finally, the other main issue with Ballistic right now is that while its gameplay is solid (if unoriginal), the actual content within this mode is years behind anything else in the genre. —Echo Apsey, Rolling Stone, 20 Dec. 2024

As the sun and Saturn clash, confront what scares you: a fear of being unoriginal. —USA TODAY, 4 Dec. 2024

Good, if often unoriginal design, sold at a competitive price. —Alistair Charlton, WIRED, 26 Nov. 2024

Running Back Najee Harris, PIT Despite the unoriginal play-calling and an offensive line that couldn’t run-block a pack of wild toddlers, Harris rushed for his third straight 1,000-yard season and a career-best eight rushing touchdowns in 2023. —Jay Felicio, The Athletic, 23 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1749, in the meaning defined above