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.
The novelist who wants to write about how young people (barely) get by in the world today has to explain why all of this overwhelm often translates into paralysis—without boring readers to distraction. — Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026 Other signatories include crime novelist Val McDermid, Ecotricity founder Dale Vince, ex-financial trader turned equality campaigner Gary Stevenson, and philanthropist Julia Davies. — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 24 July 2026 There is a unique pleasure in hearing a novelist read their work aloud. — Literary Hub, 23 July 2026 Bestselling thriller novelist Andrea Bartz first brought the suit with two other authors in 2024. — ABC News, 21 July 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 28 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

novelist

noun
nov·​el·​ist ˈnäv-(ə-)ləst How to pronounce novelist (audio)
: a writer of novels
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of kludge

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
chain-question-mark
Missing Link Quiz July 2026 Five seconds to figure out the word that fits bot...
See All