novella

noun

no·​vel·​la nō-ˈve-lə How to pronounce novella (audio)
plural novellas or novelle nō-ˈve-lē How to pronounce novella (audio)
Synonyms of novellanext
1
plural novelle : a story with a compact and pointed plot
2
plural novellas : a work of fiction intermediate in length and complexity between a short story and a novel

Synonyms of novella

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Examples of novella in a Sentence

pressed for time, many English teachers have their students read the one novella among the novelist's works
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Based on a novella by Neil Paik, who is adapting, the film’s logline is being kept under wraps. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 23 June 2026 Crime fiction aficionados are sure to devour this collection of six novellas from the bestselling author. — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 21 June 2026 The Norwegian writer Vigdis Hjorth creates a whole world in very few pages in this novella-length work in which even the pacing of the narrative itself does so much of the storytelling. — Literary Hub, 11 June 2026 But this world premiere from writer Ashley Robinson at Chicago Shakespeare Theater actually is based on the source novella by Annie Proulx. — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for novella

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Italian, "piece of news, announcement, story, narrative," noun derivative from feminine of novello "new," going back to Latin novellus "young, tender (of plants or animals)," from novus "new" + -ellus, diminutive suffix — more at new entry 1

First Known Use

1677, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of novella was in 1677

Rhymes for novella

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Browse Nearby Words

novelize
novella
novelly
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Cite this Entry

“Novella.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/novella. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

novella

noun
no·​vel·​la nō-ˈvel-ə How to pronounce novella (audio)
: a work of fiction falling between a short story and a novel in length and complexity

More from Merriam-Webster on novella

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about novella

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