ˈnävəltē, -ti noun
( -es )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English novelte, from Middle French noveleté, from novel + -té -ty
1. : something novel : a new or unusual thing or event
men in uniform are no novelty to a city which considers itself the army's home town — Green Peyton
found it a novelty and a satisfaction to work on the soil — Martha Sharp
novelty seekers
the ballet season produced only two novelties
a novelty song
2. : the quality or state of being novel : recentness of origin or introduction : newness
a general uncritical acceptance of novelty as advance — Howard M. Jones
the novelty of space travel
the charm of novelty
novelty appeal
3.
a. : a small manufactured article intended mainly for decoration or adornment and marked by unusual or novel design
a novelty shop
novelty goods
factories that manufacture paper, wooden novelties, and snowplows — American Guide Series: Michigan
— usually used in plural
b. : a short-lived fashion : an article (as a fabric or garment) of unusual or fancy design created for a special season or occasion
novelty sweaters