ENGLISH
REFERENCE

novelist

n.
US //ˈnɑvəɫəst// UK //nˈɒvɪlˌɪst// nov·el·ist
  1. 1 writer of fiction (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a person who writes novels, which are long books telling a story about imaginary people.

    an author who writes novels, typically as a professional or artistic pursuit.

    Example

    She decided to become a novelist after her first short story won a prize.

    Example

    The novelist spent three years researching historical archives to ensure the setting of her latest book was entirely accurate.

  2. 2 an innovator (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Archaic

    someone who introduces new ideas or changes.

    an innovator or person who introduces novelties; historically used for those favouring new developments.

    Example

    In the old text, he was described as a novelist of social customs.

    Example

    The seventeenth-century essayist used the term novelist to describe those political thinkers who sought to overturn established traditions.

    Usage

    This sense is no longer used in modern English to describe writers.

Origin

From novel + -ist.

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