novelties

USAGE SUMMARY

"novelties" is an acceptable word to use in written English.
It is a noun which refers to something new or unusual. For example, "Many of the shop's customers were attracted by the wide range of novelties on offer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But in general, technology sites and newspaper tech sections seem to be still obsessed with gadgets and novelties.

The Guardian - Tech

Underground labour has helped make these novelties possible.The growth of the shadow economy has made governments eager to crack down.

The Economist

Blackmail and threats continued, until in 1975 she felt forced to emigrate.Settling in Paris, she delighted in the novelties of life in the West.

The Economist

Even Mr Prescott, self-appointed guardian of public workers, is also the champion of public-private partnerships, road-pricing experiments and other novelties guaranteed not to appeal to the traditional left.Good: Mr Blair promised a new sort of Labour government that would demand more from public workers in return for more spending on public services.

The Economist

Although the census classifies a third of the population as urban, Mr Ali calculates that the share of Pakistanis living in urban conditions is close to half.General Musharraf must deal with these novelties as well as the clichés.

The Economist

The government touts other constitutional novelties, such as the introduction of seats reserved for women.The PPP and the Muslim League have made opposition to the president's amendments the centrepiece of their campaigns.

The Economist

Alice Kahn, writer (1943–)"Western society has accepted as unquestionable a technological imperative that is quite as arbitrary as the most primitive taboo: not merely the duty to foster invention and constantly to create technological novelties, but equally the duty to surrender to these novelties unconditionally, just because they are offered, without respect to their human consequences".

The Economist

But they may also allow viewers such novelties as pausing and rewinding live television broadcasts (handy for the snack-crazed or those with overactive telephones); recording more than one programme at a time; or recording one programme while playing back another.

The Economist

A DRINKS company must be able to depend on a powerful brand; but it also needs to come up with sought-after novelties.

The Economist

Three novelties stand out.First is a shift of focus from France's old historic spheres towards a "strategic arc" of instability that stretches from the Atlantic via the Mediterranean to the Persian Gulf and Horn of Africa and on to south Asia.

The Economist

Its English name and English-only teaching are not the only novelties.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing trends or innovations, use "novelties" to highlight the characteristic of being new and unusual. For example, in a technology review, you might say, "The conference showcased the latest technological "novelties".

Common error

Avoid using "novelties" when you actually mean essential or necessary items. "Novelties" imply a degree of non-essential newness, so using it incorrectly can mislead the reader about the item's importance.

Linguistic Context

The word "novelties" functions primarily as a noun, specifically the plural form of "novelty". It refers to things that are new, original, or unusual. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples showcasing its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "novelties" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun that denotes new or unusual items. Ludwig AI's analysis, supported by numerous examples from reputable sources like The Economist and Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, indicates that it's appropriate for neutral register and serves to describe and categorize things based on their newness or uniqueness. While versatile, it's crucial to distinguish "novelties" from necessities to avoid misrepresenting an item's importance. Alternatives like "new items", "innovations", or "unusual objects", might be suitable depending on the context. The analysis underscores the importance of precision in word choice to effectively convey the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

new items

Focuses specifically on the aspect of being recently introduced or acquired.

unusual objects

Highlights the characteristic of being uncommon or peculiar.

innovative products

Emphasizes the aspect of introducing something new and improved.

latest trends

Implies a current popularity and widespread adoption.

cutting-edge technologies

Suggests the most advanced and modern technological developments.

newfangled gadgets

Refers to recently invented devices, often implying a sense of novelty.

modern contrivances

Suggests items that are cleverly or inventively arranged or designed.

state-of-the-art inventions

Highlights the items being the most advanced available at a particular time.

recent introductions

Focuses on the act of bringing something new into use or existence.

up-to-date creations

Implies that the items are the most current and fashionable.

FAQs

How can I use "novelties" in a sentence?

You can use "novelties" to refer to new or unusual items, such as, "The gift shop was filled with interesting "novelties".

What's a good alternative to "novelties"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "new items", "innovations", or "unusual objects".

Is it correct to describe essential products as "novelties"?

No, "novelties" typically refers to non-essential, new, or unique items. Calling essential products "novelties" would be inaccurate.

What is the difference between "innovations" and "novelties"?

"Innovations" implies advancements or improvements, while "novelties" simply suggests something new or unusual, not necessarily better. You can consider "innovations" as a good replacement in some specific contexts.