novel

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "novel" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a book that is longer than a novella, but shorter than a book series, and when referring to something unique, new, and original. Example sentence: She wrote a novel about a downtrodden man's journey to find hope.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was his only novel.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Two films received seven nominations: The Insider, the true story of a whistle-blower in the tobacco industry, and The Cider House Rules, an adaptation of the John Irving novel set in a New England orphanage.

The Guardian - Film

Much loved yet little read, for almost a century this strange, earnest and inconsolable novel has haunted the fringes of fiction.

The Economist

But in 1981, the so-called "Pennsylvania edition" (Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press) reverted to Dreiser's handwritten first draft, now held in the New York Public Library, and substituted his uncut holograph version as the scholarly text of the novel.

The Guardian - Books

In recent weeks the traditions have found a novel field of play – national politics.

The Guardian

Under expert supervision, you'll take on one of the most demanding tasks any writer can face – to work on creating the first draft of an original novel.

The Guardian

The new film, Porno, would be based on the 2002 novel by Irvine Welsh, which follows his characters – Begbie, Renton (played by Ewan McGregor in the original film), Sick Boy (Jonny Lee Miller and Spudd (Ewen Bremner) – a decade after their original antics.

The Guardian - Film

Immediately I thought, "If one's good, why not all four?" Hence my first novel, O Father Abraham, How Did You Get So Gladsome?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Booker-shortlisted The Lowland (Bloomsbury) by Jhumpa Lahiri is an elegantly written novel about two brothers growing up in a lowland suburb of south Calcutta in the 1950s and 60s; the younger becomes involved in the Naxalite movement and is killed by the police.

The Guardian - Books

Anthony Marra's debut novel A Constellation of Vital Phenomena (Hogarth) is set in war-torn Chechnya.

The Guardian - Books

But my book of the year is Jonathan Buckley's breathtakingly clever novel, Nostalgia (Sort of Books).

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "novel" to refer to a substantial work of fiction. For shorter works, consider terms like "novella" or "short story".

Common error

Avoid using the term "novel" for shorter works of fiction. A novella is significantly shorter than a "novel" and has different structural conventions. Be mindful of the appropriate term based on length and complexity.

Linguistic Context

The word "novel" primarily functions as a noun, referring to a long work of fiction. Ludwig provides examples where it's used to describe literary works across various contexts. As demonstrated by Ludwig, "novel" can also be used as an adjective, meaning new or original.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Books

20%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Business

1%

Film

8%

Travel

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "novel" is a versatile word with two primary functions: as a noun referring to a long work of fiction and as an adjective meaning new or original. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. As a noun, "novel" is frequently encountered in News & Media, signifying its relevance in discussions about literature and culture. When writing about "novel" it's important to consider context to ensure the intended meaning is clear: whether you are referring to a type of book or something original.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fictional work

Emphasizes the aspect of being a created, imaginative story.

long story

Highlights the extended narrative length of a novel.

extended narrative

Focuses on the detailed and expansive nature of the storytelling.

prose narrative

Specifies the literary form as being written in prose rather than verse.

book of fiction

A straightforward way to describe a novel as a fictional book.

work of literature

Broadens the scope to include the novel within the larger category of literary works.

literary creation

Focuses on the creative and artistic aspect of writing a novel.

inventive story

Highlights the originality and imagination involved in crafting a novel.

innovative account

Emphasizes the new and original nature of the narrative.

unprecedented approach

Focuses on the originality and uniqueness of the method or strategy used.

FAQs

How is the word "novel" typically used in a sentence?

The word "novel" functions as a noun, often referring to a long work of fiction. For instance, "She is writing a historical "fiction novel"" or "He adapted the classic "book" into a screenplay".

What are some synonyms for "novel" when referring to a book?

When referring to a book, you can use synonyms such as "fiction work", "narrative", or "long story" depending on the specific aspect you want to emphasize.

Can "novel" be used as an adjective, and if so, what does it mean?

Yes, "novel" can also be used as an adjective, meaning new and original. For example, "That's a "innovative idea"" or "They employed a "new approach" to solve the problem".

What's the difference between a "novel" and a "novella"?

A "novel" is a full-length fictional narrative, whereas a "novella" is a shorter work of fiction, longer than a short story but shorter than a "novel". Length is the primary distinction, affecting the scope and depth of the story.