novel
1 of 2adjective
novel
2 of 2noun
Did you know?
If someone tells you that you've come up with a novel idea or a novel interpretation of something, it's probably a compliment: not everyone is capable of original thinking. But not everything new is terribly worthwhile; a novelty, for example, is often a cute (or maybe just silly) little object that you might put on a display shelf in your house. It may seem surprising that the familiar noun novel is related as well. In the 14th century, Italian writers began writing collections of short tales, each of which they called a novella because it represented a new literary form; from this word, three centuries later, the English coined the noun novel.
Synonyms
Adjective
- fresh
- new
- original
- strange
- unaccustomed
- unfamiliar
- unheard-of
- unknown
- unprecedented
Example Sentences
Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 9 Sep. 2022 For nearly two years, researchers have been in a race against the novel coronavirus, as a slew of new variants rendered the first-generation COVID vaccine seemingly more impotent with each evolution. Erin Prater, Fortune, 6 Sep. 2022 Moderna, on its own, and the partnership of Pfizer and BioNTech were two of the first groups to develop a vaccine for the novel coronavirus. Ed Silverman, STAT, 27 Aug. 2022 There’s nothing particularly novel about the scenario, but nor does there really need to be. Brian Lowry, CNN, 16 June 2022 And while the mighty hemp seed is nothing novel, its popularity has been spiking, likely due to its association with marijuana. Joey Skladany, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 June 2022 Career-decimating scandals are nothing novel in Hollywood these days; just ask Kevin Spacey. Nick Schager, Rolling Stone, 14 Feb. 2022 Space startups are improving legacy technologies or building novel business models that unlock new approaches to mission planning and space operations. Fortune, 4 Aug. 2022 The concept of fast science relies on the convergence of a few core elements: innovative technologies, novel clinical trial models, strategic partnerships, and enhanced regulatory procedures. Ron Peck, STAT, 2 Aug. 2022 Brent Lang, Variety, 11 Sep. 2022 Japanese distribution will be handled by Toho, which released the original, itself inspired by Leo Tolstoy novel. Gavin Blair, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Sep. 2022 Fans of Karen Cushman's 1994 novel Catherine Called Birdy will notice some key differences in the forthcoming movie version. Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 11 Sep. 2022 New York Times #1 best-selling novel of the same name, the film stars newcomer Jamila C. Gray, as Bri, a gifted 16-year-old rapper. Essence, 10 Sep. 2022 THE SCHOOL FOR GOOD AND EVIL Paul Feig directed this adaptation of Soman Chainani’s fantasy novel. Mark Feeney, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Sep. 2022 Celeste Ng's first novel since Little Fires Everywhere is finally here. The Editors, Town & Country, 9 Sep. 2022 Atonement, McEwan’s finest, most complex novel, is about love, war, and storytelling. Adam Begley, The Atlantic, 9 Sep. 2022 Fred’s dead, but June’s (Elisabeth Moss) journey is far from over as this dystopian drama based on the Margaret Atwood novel returns for Season 5. Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2022 See More Word History
Adjective
Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French & continental Old French, "new" — more at nouveau
Noun
earlier nouell, nouelle "short prose narrative," borrowed from Italian novella — more at novella
Adjective
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Noun
1639, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing novel
Kids Definition
novel 1 of 2
adjective
novel
2 of 2noun
novel 1 of 2
noun
Synonyms & Similar Words
- fiction
- narrative
- story
- tale
- anecdote
- yarn
- fabrication
- fantasy
- invention
- fable
- fairy tale
- lie
- figment
- misrepresentation
- phantasy
- prevarication
- fib
- whopper
- falsehood
- mendacity
- untruth
- falsity
- make-believe
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- fact
- reality
- materiality
- actuality
- realness
Synonyms & Similar Words
- novelette
- monograph
- anthology
- textbook
- treatise
- text
- pulp
- album
- chapbook
- primer
- omnibus
- picture book
- casebook
- dictionary
- tract
- almanac
- guidebook
- encyclopedia
- handbook
- catalog
- paperback
- manual
- book
- cyclopedia
- catalogue
- hardcover
- hardback
- cyclopaedia
- trade book
- folio
- pocket book
- trade edition
- tome
- softcover
- paper
- quarto
- paperbound
- pocket edition
- how-to
- softback
- volume
novel
2 of 2adjective
Synonyms & Similar Words
- new
- unfamiliar
- unprecedented
- original
- strange
- fresh
- innovative
- unique
- unknown
- unheard-of
- unconventional
- pioneering
- unaccustomed
- nontraditional
- pathbreaking
- untried
- trailblazing
- unused
- unworn
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- hackneyed
- conventional
- familiar
- old
- traditional
- derivative
- tired
- established
- time-honored
- warmed-over
- tried
- imitative
- tried-and-true
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of novel are fresh, new, and original. While all these words mean "having recently come into existence or use," novel applies to what is not only new but strange or unprecedented.
While the synonyms fresh and novel are close in meaning, fresh applies to what has not lost its qualities of newness such as liveliness, energy, brightness.
Although the words new and novel have much in common, new may apply to what is freshly made and unused, what has not been known before, or what has not been experienced before.
The meanings of original and novel largely overlap; however, original applies to what is the first of its kind to exist.