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

Train Dreams is based on the 2011 Denis Johnson novella and directed by Oscar nominee Clint Bentley, who co-adapted the script with Greg Kwedar. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 30 Jan. 2025

The passage of time is somehow both fluid and jagged in Clint Bentley’s soulful film of the Denis Johnson novella, Train Dreams. —David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Jan. 2025

Based on the Max Porter novella Grief Is the Thing With Feathers, the film gives grief a physical manifestation, a sinister presence that unmoors Cumberbatch’s character from reality. —Ew Staff, EW.com, 23 Jan. 2025

Also, the original version of the character was actually introduced in a novella as 'Anthony Rogers' in 1928; that character has long been public domain as well. —Rebecca Falconer, Axios, 26 Dec. 2024

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

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