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

• narrative
• novelette
• short story
• story
• tale
• yarn

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

Few people likely associate Oscar Wilde’s famed 1890 novella The Picture of Dorian Gray with the tech-laden, scroll-heavy social media of the 21st century. —Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 21 May 2025

But then came her debut in Parineeta, with her role based on a well-rounded character in a popular novella. —Sunil Sadarangani, Deadline, 20 May 2025

The Life of Chuck (June 6) Horror director Mike Flanagan has adapted two of Stephen King’s novels in the past (Gerald’s Game and Doctor Sleep), but this take on the 2020 novella of the same name is more tear-jerking than terrifying. —Ben Rosenstock, Time, 16 May 2025

The genre trappings are all there for a blockbuster, but the brand, which includes novels, novellas and short stories, is thin on plot, light on description and only a few of its supporting characters are memorable. —Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 12 May 2025

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