Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

graphic novel

noun

Definition of graphic novel

  1. :  a story that is presented in comic-strip format and published as a book

See graphic novel defined for English-language learners

From the M-W Editors

alt-596f730ceb5ae
Words We're Watching: 'Scoby'
alt-596f7d8840dd5
Trending: Trend Watch: 'Admiral's Mast' & A Mystery At Sea
emoji-the-quiz
The Emoji Quiz
image698129811
Different Ways to Say 'Nude'

First Known Use of graphic novel

1964

GRAPHIC NOVEL Defined for English Language Learners

graphic novel

noun

Definition of graphic novel for English Language Learners

  • : cartoon drawings that tell a story and are published as a book

GRAPHIC NOVEL Defined for Kids

graphic novel

noun

Definition of graphic novel for Students

  1. :  a work of fiction or nonfiction that tells a story using comic strips and that is published as a book

Learn More about graphic novel

  1. See words that rhyme with graphic novel Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about graphic novel

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up graphic novel? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

WORD OF THE DAY

crucible

play

a severe test

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. admiral's mast A massive search ends with an 'admiral's mast'.

  2. calumny 'An untrue statement that is made to damage someone's reputation'

  3. kakistocracy Frustrated Twitter users have been searching for this word.

  4. bona fide Made in good faith

  5. surrogate mother From TMZ to the dictionary.

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

graphic novel

Test Your Vocabulary

The Emoji Quiz

  • emoji-the-quiz
  • What phase of the moon is this: 🌖 ?
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Words at Play

alt-596f730ceb5ae
Words We're Watching: 'Scoby'

Kombucha lovers unite.

alt-596e1a928254c
Words We're Watching: 'Fidget Spinner'

Don't fight the fad

alt-5956722528373
A Nun's 'Habit' & A Mini-Skirt

They have more in common than you might think.

alt-596cccb141873
Our Verdict on 'Judgy'

Will word nerds judge you for this?

Ask the Editors

video-title-words-of-the-year-1066
Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

payday
How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Don't get us started on 'bimonthly'

video-irregardless-grammar-peeve-blend-of-the-synonyms-irrespective-and-regardless
Irregardless

It is in fact a real word (but that doesn't mean you should use it).

video-moose-goose-weird-plurals
Weird Plurals

One goose, two geese. One moose, two... moose. What's up with that?

Word Games

emoji-the-quiz
The Emoji Quiz

Think you’re an emoji 👓 expert? Let’s see 🤔

Take the quiz
image941935269
A Game of Thrones Word Quiz

In the Game of Thrones quiz, you learn some new vocabulary. (It’s quite safe, really. You will not die.)

Take the quiz
Name That Thing
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

Take the quiz
SCRABBLE® Sprint
SCRABBLE® Sprint

SCRABBLE® fans, sharpen your skills!

Play the game