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.
The whole gang is back, ready to play their parts in this never-ending novella. — Candace Buckner, New York Times, 2 July 2026 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 Based on a Stephen King novella, the period prison drama became a cult favorite thanks to video rentals and cable reruns. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 1 July 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 10 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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