WordValenovel
new and original; not seen before
new and unusual
In more detail
1. (noun) a long fictional story written in prose
2. (adjective) new and unusual or interesting
Examples
- She spent the summer reading a mystery novel.
- The company introduced a novel approach to solving the problem.
How to use novel
As a noun, novel refers specifically to a lengthy prose work of fiction, distinct from shorter stories or non-fiction. As an adjective, novel means new and striking, often carrying a positive connotation of freshness or originality. The adjective form is somewhat more formal and literary than simply saying 'new' or 'unusual'.
Common phrases
- read a novel
- write a novel
- novel approach
- novel idea
- novel experience
- publish a novel
Synonyms
book · narrative · work of fiction · story
Opposites
non-fiction · reality · fact
Word family
novelist · novelty · novelistic
A common mistake
Learners sometimes use 'novel' as an adjective when they simply mean 'new' in everyday contexts; while technically correct, it may sound overly formal (e.g., 'a novel gadget' sounds stuffy compared to 'a new gadget').
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