novella

noun

no·​vel·​la nō-ˈve-lə 

plural novellas or novelle nō-ˈve-lē 

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

Synonyms of novella

• tale
• story

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

Next up for Martin is the second season of Knight, which is based on his novella The Sworn Sword, and is expected early next year. — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 4 Aug. 2026

Based on Arthur Schnitzler’s 1890’s novella, Burch has modernized it and changed the Vienna setting to New York City’s Soho district, a once-bustling enclave for artists and poets and now something quite different. — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 3 Aug. 2026

The three-novella structure is sometimes predictable, with its movie-of-the-week rhythm, which requires resolution every hundred pages or so. — Literary Hub, 30 July 2026

Truman Capote, who wrote the original novella, had drawn inspiration from the blonde bombshell — something Ferrer believes may have made the role less appealing. — Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 25 July 2026

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

Rhymes for novella

• brucella
• candela
• capella
• chlorella
• flagella
• glabella
• lamella
• marcella
• mustela
• patella
• predella
• prunella

Kids Definition

novella

noun

no·​vel·​la nō-ˈvel-ə 

: a work of fiction falling between a short story and a novel in length and complexity