novel

nov-el · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A long fictional prose narrative, typically with a complex plot and characters.

  2. 2.

    (as adjective) New or unusual in an interesting way.

Forms

plural: novels

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    graphic novel — a novel in comic-strip format
  • •
    novelistic — resembling or characteristic of a novel

Related words

See also: author, book, fiction, story
Synonyms: book, fiction, story

Etymology

From Italian novella ("short story"), from Latin novellus ("new"), diminutive of novus ("new"). The modern sense of a long prose fiction developed in the 17th century.