What does originate mean?
Word: Originate
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: Originate means to begin or start in a particular place, time or way; also, to be the first to create an idea or plan.
Synonyms: begin, start, stem
Antonyms: end, finish, cease
Word origin: From Latin, from a noun meaning 'beginning' or 'rise'.
How do you spell originate?
Syllables: o - rig - i - nate
Tricky part: Students drop the i after the g (orignate) or turn it into an e (origenate), because that part is said so lightly.
Watch out for: orignate, origenate
Memory tip: Picture the g and the i holding hands in the middle of the word: in originate the g never goes anywhere without its i.
Originate in a sentence
Example 1: Most of the complaints originated from one noisy corner of the hostel.
Example 2: Our science teacher asked where the idea for the solar cooker had originated.
Example 3: Historians say the game of chess may have originated in India as chaturanga.
Fun Fact
Weather scientists say that many of the low-pressure systems that bring heavy monsoon rain to central India originate over the Bay of Bengal.
Practise the CREST Way
Spell Spies
Choose the incorrectly spelt word:
a) eliminate
b) oreginate
c) dominate
d) fascinate
Show answer
b) oreginate. Originate takes an i, not an e, straight after the r.
Spellacadabra
Choose the misspelt word:
a) originnate
b) coordinate
c) culminate
d) illuminate
Show answer
a) originnate. Only one n comes before the ate ending.
Word Tally
How many words are misspelt in the sentence?
Historians beleive that the custom of flying kites on Makar Sankranti originated centuries ago, though nobody can name the exact villige where it began.
a) 2
b) 4
c) 1
d) 3
Show answer
a) 2. Believe has ie and village has age; originated, centuries and the rest are correct.
Word Puzzle
Match each word with the word closest in meaning:
1. originate 2. terminate 3. abandon a. desert b. arise c. conclude
a) 1-b, 2-a, 3-c
b) 1-b, 2-c, 3-a
c) 1-c, 2-b, 3-a
d) 1-a, 2-c, 3-b
Show answer
b) 1-b, 2-c, 3-a. To originate is to arise, to terminate is to conclude, and to abandon is to desert.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. The Ganga originates at the Gangotri glacier. This means the glacier is the river's ____.
a) source
b) bank
c) delta
d) mouth
Show answer
a) source
2. Which of these English words came into English from an Indian language?
a) chocolate
b) piano
c) bungalow
d) tomato
Show answer
c) bungalow
