novella

noun

no·​vel·​la nō-ˈve-lə How to pronounce novella (audio)
plural novellas or novelle nō-ˈve-lē How to pronounce novella (audio)
Synonyms of novellanext
1
plural novelle : a story with a compact and pointed plot
2
plural novellas : a work of fiction intermediate in length and complexity between a short story and a novel

Examples of novella in a Sentence

pressed for time, many English teachers have their students read the one novella among the novelist's works
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 Housemaid’s Wedding The Housemaid's Wedding isn’t a novel, but rather a novella that was meant to bridge the gap between the events of books two and three. Katie Mannion, PEOPLE, 19 Dec. 2025 And there’s a lot in Dennis Johnson’s novella, and in [Clint Bentley’s and Greg Kwedar’s] script. Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 19 Dec. 2025 The book is a collection of three novellas, including the titular Legends of the Fall. James Folta, Literary Hub, 18 Dec. 2025 The semi-autobiographical novella was released in 2018. Mikelle Street, Them., 17 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for novella

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Italian, "piece of news, announcement, story, narrative," noun derivative from feminine of novello "new," going back to Latin novellus "young, tender (of plants or animals)," from novus "new" + -ellus, diminutive suffix — more at new entry 1

First Known Use

1677, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of novella was in 1677

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Novella.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/novella. Accessed 21 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

novella

noun
no·​vel·​la nō-ˈvel-ə How to pronounce novella (audio)
: a work of fiction falling between a short story and a novel in length and complexity

More from Merriam-Webster on novella

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