telenovela

noun

tel·​e·​no·​vela ˌte-lə-nō-ˈve-lə How to pronounce telenovela (audio)
: a soap opera produced in and televised in or from many Latin American countries

Examples of telenovela in a Sentence

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.
Only one, Mexico, canned it after one season and that was after an almost telenovela-length first run of episodes. — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 18 Feb. 2026 Initially, the strategy was used for telenovelas but was later adapted for use in radio serial dramas. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 Apr. 2026 Improv team Lirrer will present improvisation based in the beloved tradition of telenovelas. — Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Aug. 2025 With hair teased to the gods, McCarthy partnered with the beloved beauty brand to star in a telenovela that was oozing with can't-look-away drama, steamy romance, and lots of hot-pink Glow Reviver Lip Oil. — Christina Perrier, InStyle, 23 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for telenovela

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, from tele- tele- + novela novel, serial drama

First Known Use

1961, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of telenovela was in 1961

Rhymes for telenovela

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Browse Nearby Words

Telenomus
telenovela
teleo-
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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