Word
novel
Phoneticsnov·el, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈnɑvəɫ/
UK/nˈɒvəl/
Definitions
01fiction book
A2 · Elementary Countable noun
n. a long story about imaginary people and events, usually printed as a book.
n. a fictional narrative in prose of considerable length, typically having a complex plot and character development.
日本語:小説※
“She spent the whole weekend reading a mystery novel by her favourite author.”
“The author's debut novel received critical acclaim for its intricate structure and its nuanced exploration of historical trauma.”
02new and original
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. new and different from anything that has been seen or done before.
adj. original or strikingly new in nature; having no precedent.
日本語:斬新※
“The company came up with a novel way to recycle plastic bottles into clothing.”
“The researchers proposed a novel hypothesis that challenged decades of established thinking in the field of molecular biology.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
03legal decree
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Law Formal · Technical
n. a new law or rule added to an existing collection of laws.
n. a new legal constitution or decree, particularly those issued by Byzantine emperors after the initial codification of Roman law.
“The professor explained how the new Novel changed the inheritance laws of the time.”
“The Justinian Code was supplemented by several Novellae, which addressed emerging administrative challenges within the empire.”
Usage
Usually capitalized when referring to specific Roman or Byzantine legal collections.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “novel” in context.
Adjective
01. novel approach
“The researchers adopted a novel approach to solve the complex mathematical problem.”
adj + noun
02. novel idea
“She presented a novel idea that challenged the traditional way of thinking in the industry.”
adj + noun
03. novel follows
04. appreciation novel
Real-World Examples
“To answer a slightly different question, Percival Everett’s astonishing The Trees was the book that made me feel I might be able to write a novel.” “This Depression-era novel from the author of The Help is read by January LaVoy and Jenna Lamia.” “The award, now in its 40th year, is given each year to “the best science fiction novel” first published in the UK in the previous year.” “Weighted towards Frazer’s dazed perspective, Nothing Like Happiness would seem a better title for the novel.” Etymology
From Middle English novel, from Old French novel (“new, fresh, recent, recently made or done, strange, rare”) (modern nouvel, nouveau), from Latin novellus (“new, fresh, young, modern”), diminutive of novus (“new”). Doublet of nouveau.
Borrowed from Italian novella, from Latin novella, feminine of novellus. Doublet of novella.
From Middle English novel, from Old French novelle, from Latin novella, feminine of novellus.
Borrowed from Latin novella, feminine of novellus.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/novel
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0