novelist

noun

nov·​el·​ist ˈnä-və-list How to pronounce novelist (audio)
ˈnäv-
Synonyms of novelistnext
: a writer of novels

Examples of novelist 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.
This, according to Iraq's culture ministry, is the one-time home of English mystery novelist Agatha Christie, on the banks of the Tigris River in Baghdad. — Jane Arraf, NPR, 29 Oct. 2026 British journalist Auberon Waugh (the eldest son of novelist Evelyn Waugh) was even more brutal. — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 29 Oct. 2026 Wounded by his years of neglect, Giuliana takes a lover of her own with young novelist, Filippo (Marc Porel). — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 27 Oct. 2026 An avid reader, Dua Lipa sat down for a chat at the London Literature Festival 2026 in conversation with moderator and novelist Zadie Smith and poet Mustafa about all things books at the Royal Festival Hall yesterday in London. — Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 25 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for novelist

Word History

Etymology

novel entry 1 + -ist entry 1

First Known Use

1728, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of novelist was in 1728

Browse Nearby Words

novelism
novelist
novelistic
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Novelist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/novelist. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

novelist

noun
nov·​el·​ist ˈnäv-(ə-)ləst How to pronounce novelist (audio)
: a writer of novels

More from Merriam-Webster on novelist

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