WordValenovella
a work of fiction shorter than a novel
In more detail
1. (noun) a short novel; a work of fiction that is longer than a short story but shorter than a novel
Examples
- She wrote a novella about a woman discovering her family's secrets.
How to use novella
A novella is a prose narrative that typically ranges from 20,000 to 50,000 words, occupying the middle ground between short stories and full-length novels. It is used in literary contexts to describe works that are too substantial for short story collections but too slight for standard novel publication. The term carries a neutral to slightly elevated tone and is common in academic, publishing, and literary discussions.
Common phrases
- write a novella
- publish a novella
- a brief novella
- literary novella
- contemporary novella
Synonyms
short novel · novelette · short work of fiction
Word family
novelist · novelistic
A common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse novella with novelette; while both are short novels, novelette is less commonly used in modern English and may refer to a slightly shorter work, but the distinction is not rigid and varies by region and context.
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