telenovela

noun

tel·​e·​no·​vela ˌte-lə-nō-ˈve-lə How to pronounce telenovela (audio)
: a soap opera produced in and televised in or from many Latin American countries

Examples of telenovela in a Sentence

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.
In fact, despite its thriving telenovela industry, and many promising starts (see: Charlie’s Angels and 8th & Ocean), Miami has spawned few successful television series outside the realm of reality TV. Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 8 July 2025 In true telenovela fashion, Karol and Anahí are in love with the same man — who is revealed via photo to be a long-haired Ricky Martin from the ‘90s — and later confront each other in a heated fight. Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 17 June 2025 Max produced its first Brazilian telenovela with Beleza Fatal, known in English as Scars of Beauty. Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 18 Mar. 2025 The star was recently confirmed to return to primetime telenovelas with a remake of Doménica Montero, stars in an episode of the anthology Vix series Mujeres Asesinas, and is also set to star in her first feature film. Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 27 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for telenovela

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, from tele- tele- + novela novel, serial drama

First Known Use

1961, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of telenovela was in 1961

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Cite this Entry

“Telenovela.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/telenovela. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

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