noun
novella
noh-VEL-uh
Novella (noun) means a short novel or a long short story. Example: “He wrote a novella over a single summer.”
noun
1
A short novel or a long short story.
"He wrote a novella over a single summer."
"The novella is far shorter than his earlier novels."
"Her latest novella runs to about a hundred pages."
How to use novella
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA novella is a piece of fiction longer than a short story but shorter than a novel.
When to use it
It is a standard literary term used when discussing fiction and its length.
Memory tip
Keep novella and novel apart: a novella is markedly shorter than a novel.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
Common pairings
write a novella
a short novella
publish a novella
a novella-length work
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Fill the gap
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He wrote a _____ over a single summer.
Etymology
Novella was borrowed from Italian novella. It is a doublet of the word novel, meaning the two words share a common origin.
Synonyms
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novelette
Rhymes for novella
See all rhymes for novella →Frequently asked questions
What is a novella?
A novella is a short novel or a long short story.
Is a novella shorter than a novel?
Yes, a novella is shorter than a full novel.
What is the plural of novella?
The plural is novellas or novelle.
What is the meaning of novella?
"novella" (noun) means a short novel or a long short story.
