origin

The way something first began, or the event that caused it to exist.

• The story has an unusual origin.
• Scientists study the origin of life.
• We traced the origins of the festival back several centuries.

How to use it: the origin of something (Nobody knows the origin of this tradition.)

Similar words: beginning, source

Common phrases: the origin of, trace the origin, ancient origin

The place something comes from or was made in.

• The label shows its country of origin.
• These goods are of foreign origin.
• Can you identify the origin of this wine?

How to use it: of ... origin (The vase is of Italian origin.)

Similar words: source, provenance

Common phrases: country of origin, place of origin, foreign origin, origin of something

The family, country, or people your ancestors came from.

• He is proud of his family origins.
• Several students are of Turkish origin.
• The form asks about ethnic origin.

How to use it: of ... origin (Her grandparents were of Polish origin.)

Similar words: ancestry, descent, background

Common phrases: ethnic origin, of mixed origin, family origin