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

There’s a theory in the novella that Helaena is pushed from the window and Mysaria is a suspect. — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026

An adaptation of Stephen King‘s 1982 novella The Body, Stand by Me represented Reiner’s first foray into dramatic filmmaking. — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 8 Aug. 2026

Written by Samy Burch (May December) based on Arthur Schnitzler’s 1890s novella. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2026

The series currently encompasses nine sub-series arcs, standalone novels, novellas, English-language manga and graphic novels. — Mya Copeland, Variety, 6 Aug. 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