Novel Meaning

UK /ˈnɒvəl/
US /ˈnɑːvəl/
Word Definition
novel meaning

Novel Definition & Usage

noun

A long work of fiction, typically with a complex plot and multiple characters, often divided into chapters.

Examples

  • "She wrote a novel about the struggles of a young woman growing up in a small town."
  • "His latest novel is a deep exploration of human emotions and relationships."
  • "The novel gained critical acclaim for its narrative style and complex characters."
  • "She prefers to read novels rather than short stories because she enjoys more detailed plots."
  • "After months of writing, he finally completed his first novel and was eager to publish it."
adjective

New and original; never seen or done before.

Examples

  • "The team came up with a novel solution to the problem."
  • "Her novel approach to marketing led to a significant increase in sales."
  • "The researcher presented a novel theory about the origins of the universe."
  • "His novel ideas challenged conventional thinking in the field of economics."
  • "The artist's novel style made her a standout in the contemporary art scene."

Cultural Context

The term 'novel' originates from the Latin word 'novus', meaning 'new'. It was used in the 17th century to describe new types of prose fiction that differed from traditional forms such as epic poetry and drama. Over time, the novel has evolved into a key genre in literature, encompassing a wide range of themes and styles. As an adjective, 'novel' is used to describe something innovative or unprecedented in various fields.

The Novel Idea

Story

The Novel Idea

In a small, quiet town, a young writer named Lucy struggled with a creative block. She had always dreamed of writing a novel, but the words just wouldn't come. Her desk was cluttered with half-written pages, and her pen hovered over the blank page, waiting for inspiration. One afternoon, as she wandered through the local library, she stumbled upon an old, forgotten book that had been sitting on a dusty shelf for years. Its cover was faded, but its title caught her eye – 'The Novel Idea'. Lucy opened the book and began reading. To her surprise, the pages contained stories of people who had been in similar situations—struggling with their own creative blocks. Each story was a unique journey of discovery and self-realization. The book wasn't just a source of inspiration for Lucy’s writing; it also gave her a new perspective on the challenges of creativity. The more she read, the more ideas began to flow, and she realized that the key to writing her own novel was not perfection, but simply starting. By the end of the day, Lucy had filled several pages with the first chapter of her own novel, inspired by the 'novel' idea she had discovered in the library.

The Novel Idea