WordGarden.ionovel
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /nˈɒvəl/
US
- /ˈnɑvəl/
Meanings
Noun
a long fictional prose book
Adjective
new and different from what is familiar
Beyond the definition
A "novel" idea is something fresh, original, and different from what's been done before. You might use it for a new invention, a new plan, or a surprising way of solving a problem. But "novel" also has another meaning: it is a long fictional story, usually published as a book. Think Pride and Prejudice, 1984, or The Hunger Games. These are all novels, with characters and plots that unfold over many pages.
The word comes from the Italian "novella," meaning "new," and it was first used for short tales. Over time, it grew into the word we use for longer fictional stories. So, whether you're talking about a clever new idea or a book that pulls you in, "novel" often carries a sense of freshness.
The word "novel" has two distinct but related meanings. First, as an adjective, it describes something new, original, and unusual. It can be used for an idea, a method, an approach, or a solution that feels different from what people have seen before. For example: "The company introduced a novel marketing strategy that quickly gained attention." In this sense, the word highlights freshness and originality.
However, "novel" is also a noun referring to a long work of fiction, usually written in prose. A novel tells a story with characters, settings, and a plot that develops over a longer space than a short story. Because of that length, it often has more room to explore relationships, events, and ideas in detail. Think of classics like To Kill a Mockingbird, popular modern books like The Hunger Games, or fantasy favorites like Harry Potter.
The origin of the word lies in the Italian "novella," meaning "new." It first referred to short tales, and over time the term developed into the name for the long fictional narratives we know today.
So, whether you're praising a bright new idea or losing yourself in a long fictional world, "novel" points to either freshness or storytelling on a larger scale.
Examples
- 1
Reading
I stayed up late to finish the novel.
- 2
Publishing
Her first novel came out when she was twenty-five.
- 3
Story setting
The novel is set in a small town on the coast.
- Patternbe set in + place
take place there
- 4
Film adaptation
The film was adapted from a best-selling novel.
- Patternadapted from + original work
changed from one form into another, such as a book into a film
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Literary reviews
Critics called it a powerful novel about friendship and loss.
- 6
New method
The team tried a novel approach to reducing waste.
- 7
Technology
The app uses novel technology to translate speech in real time.
- 8
Personal experience
Living alone was still novel to him after years with roommates.
- Patternnovel to + person
new or unfamiliar to that person
See also
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- novelnounadjective
Forms
- novelspluralnounadjective