novel

1 of 2

adjective

nov·​el ˈnä-vəl 

1

a

: new and not resembling something formerly known or used

New technologies are posing novel problems.

b

: not previously identified

transmission of a novel coronavirus

a novel genetic mutation

novel bacterial strains

2

: original or striking especially in conception or style

a novel scheme to collect money

novel solutions

novel

2 of 2

noun

1

: an invented prose narrative that is usually long and complex and deals especially with human experience through a usually connected sequence of events

2

: the literary genre consisting of novels

novelistic

ˌnä-və-ˈli-stik 

adjective

novelistically

ˌnä-və-ˈli-sti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Did you know?

If someone tells you that you've come up with a novel idea or a novel interpretation of something, it's probably a compliment: not everyone is capable of original thinking. But not everything new is terribly worthwhile; a novelty, for example, is often a cute (or maybe just silly) little object that you might put on a display shelf in your house. It may seem surprising that the familiar noun novel is related as well. In the 14th century, Italian writers began writing collections of short tales, each of which they called a novella because it represented a new literary form; from this word, three centuries later, the English coined the noun novel.

Synonyms

Adjective

• fresh
• new
• original
• strange
• unaccustomed
• unfamiliar
• unheard-of
• unknown
• unprecedented

Choose the Right Synonym for novel

new, novel, original, fresh mean having recently come into existence or use.

new may apply to what is freshly made and unused

new brick

or has not been known before

new designs

or not experienced before.

starts the new job

novel applies to what is not only new but strange or unprecedented.

a novel approach to the problem

original applies to what is the first of its kind to exist.

a man without one original idea

fresh applies to what has not lost its qualities of newness such as liveliness, energy, brightness.

a fresh start

Examples of novel in a Sentence

Adjective

She has suggested a novel approach to the problem.

Handheld computers are novel devices.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

With classic brown sugar, taro, and novel seasonal flavors, the shop offers comfort in familiarity—trusted by generations and still blending tapioca pearls, fresh milk, and chewy yummies one cup at a time. —Taryn White, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025

After the first round of the Travelers Championship, the Northern Irishman showed up to answer reporters' questions, and the topic came up again, even taking a novel approach. —Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025

Noun

And maybe the next Kerouac will write a novel on their laptop as an autonomous car carries them across the continent. —Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 22 June 2025

Runaway Jury, which adapts John Grisham’s novel into a tense courtroom showdown about corporate corruption and manipulation, focuses on a high-profile gun case goes to trial in New Orleans—and before long, the usual jury selection process turns into a strategic battle between two shadowy forces. —Travis Bean, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French & continental Old French, "new" — more at nouveau

Noun

earlier nouell, nouelle "short prose narrative," borrowed from Italian novella — more at novella

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1639, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing novel

• dime novel
• graphic novel
• saga novel

Rhymes for novel

• grovel

Kids Definition

novel

1 of 2 adjective

nov·​el ˈnäv-əl 

1

: new and different from what has been known before

2

: original or striking in design or appearance

a novel way to make money

novel

2 of 2 noun

: a long prose narrative that usually portrays imaginary characters and events