short story

noun

Synonyms of short storynext
: an invented prose narrative shorter than a novel usually dealing with a few characters and aiming at unity of effect and often concentrating on the creation of mood rather than plot

Examples of short story in a Sentence

her very first short story was accepted for publication in a local journal
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.
To read it is to sit at the feet of a master of the short story form. Literary Hub, 21 Apr. 2026 The idea can be traced back to a 1893 short story, but has recently been popularized on social media, where people have been sharing their own experiences. Allison Forsyth, Health, 21 Apr. 2026 The actress recommended the short story collection because her son recently read the author's classic novel The Catcher in the Rye. Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026 Roth expanded on the books with the 2014 short story collection Four, as well as the 2018 short We Can Be Mended, both of which were told from Four’s perspective. Glenn Garner, Deadline, 19 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for short story

Word History

First Known Use

1861, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of short story was in 1861

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Cite this Entry

“Short story.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/short%20story. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

short story

noun
: a short work of fiction usually dealing with a few characters and a single event

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