Join Us On

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

Spanish Central

Browse Dictionary Browse Thesaurus

Get our free apps!iPhone•iPad•Android

Word of the Day

Blog: Words at Play

Dictionary

novelist

noun nov·el·ist \ˈnäv-list, ˈnä-və-\

: a person who writes novels

Full Definition of NOVELIST

: a writer of novels

See novelist defined for English-language learners

See novelist defined for kids

ADVERTISEMENT

First Known Use of NOVELIST

1728

NOVELIST Defined for Kids

novelist

noun nov·el·ist \ˈnä-və-list\

Definition of NOVELIST for Kids

: a writer of novels

Learn More About NOVELIST

Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "novelist"

Nglish: Translation of "novelist" for Spanish speakers

Britannica English: Translation of "novelist" for Arabic speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about "novelist"

Browse

Next Word in the Dictionary: novelizePrevious Word in the Dictionary: novelismAll Words Near: novelist

ADVERTISEMENT

Seen & Heard

What made you want to look up novelist? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

View Seen & Heard Highlights from Around the Site

Test Your Vocabulary!

10 Charming Words for Nasty People

Put-downs with flair

When "Literally" isn't, well, literal

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

Know what this is?

Test your vocab with our fun, fast game

Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears

Join Us

Merriam-Webster
on Facebook

Merriam-Webster
on Twitter

Bookstore: Digital and Print

Merriam-Webster references for Mobile, Kindle, print, and more.

See All

Other Merriam-Webster Dictionaries

© Merriam-Webster, Incorporated