First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1novel
adjective nov·el \ˈnä-vəl\
: new and different from what has been known before
Full Definition of NOVEL
1
: new and not resembling something formerly known or used
2
: original or striking especially in conception or style <a novel scheme to collect money>
See novel defined for English-language learners
See novel defined for kids
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Origin of NOVEL
Middle English, from Anglo-French, new, from Latin novellus, from diminutive of novus new — more at new
Related to NOVEL
- Synonyms
- fresh, new, original, strange, unaccustomed, unfamiliar, unheard-of, unknown, unprecedented
- Antonyms
- familiar, hackneyed, old, time-honored, tired, warmed-over
Synonym Discussion of NOVEL
new, novel, original, fresh mean having recently come into existence or use. new may apply to what is freshly made and unused <new brick> or has not been known before <new designs> or not experienced before <starts the new job>. novel applies to what is not only new but strange or unprecedented <a novel approach to the problem>. original applies to what is the first of its kind to exist <a man without one original idea>. fresh applies to what has not lost its qualities of newness such as liveliness, energy, brightness <a fresh start>.
2novel
noun
: a long written story usually about imaginary characters and events
Full Definition of NOVEL
1
: an invented prose narrative that is usually long and complex and deals especially with human experience through a usually connected sequence of events
2
: the literary genre consisting of novels
— nov·el·is·tic \ˌnä-və-ˈlis-tik\ adjective
— nov·el·is·ti·cal·ly \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb
See novel defined for English-language learners
Origin of NOVEL
Italian novella
First Known Use: 1639
Other Literature Terms
NOVEL Defined for Kids
1novel
adjective nov·el \ˈnä-vəl\
Definition of NOVEL for Kids
: new and different from what is already known <a novel idea>
2novel
noun
Definition of NOVEL for Kids
: a long story usually about imaginary characters and events
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