# novella

/noʊˈvɛɫə/ (US) · /nɒvˈɛlɐ/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/novella
Updated: 2026-05-09

## Definition

a story that is longer than a short story but shorter than a novel. It usually focuses on one main character or event without having many complicated side stories.

For teachers: a work of narrative prose fiction whose length falls between that of a short story and a novel. Typically ranges from 17,000 to 40,000 words and maintains a tighter structural focus than a full-length novel.

## Examples

- The author decided to publish her short story as a novella.
- Many classic works of literature, such as 'Of Mice and Men', are technically classified as a novella rather than a novel.
- While the novel allows for expansive subplots and a vast cast of characters, the novella demands a more concentrated narrative arc, often centering on a single transformative psychological event.

## Usage notes

- Often used in literary criticism to distinguish works by word count or structural density.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.