graphic novel

noun

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

Examples of graphic novel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Helmed by friends Sarah Jackson, Emily Lilley, and Blaes Green, the store hosts 10 to 12 of them a month with genres ranging from graphic novels to cocktails. Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 9 Sep. 2025 Young People’s Literature This year’s longlist includes works of fiction, nonfiction, graphic novels, and novels in verse. The New Yorker, New Yorker, 9 Sep. 2025 An adaptation of Darwyn Cooke’s graphic novel, this period piece begins at the end of the Korean War, introducing key characters like Hal Jordan, J’onn J’onzz, and Barry Allen, who has just recently acquired his powers and assumed the identity of The Flash. Will Harris, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Sep. 2025 Adapted from Isabel Greenberg’s award-winning graphic novel, the film is already doubly steeped in history. Leila Latif, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for graphic novel

Word History

First Known Use

1964, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of graphic novel was in 1964

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Cite this Entry

“Graphic novel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/graphic%20novel. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

graphic novel

noun
: a work of fiction or non-fiction that is presented in comic-strip format and published as a book

More from Merriam-Webster on graphic novel

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