Novel Means New, Which Is Why It Is Both a Book and an Adjective
A novel is a long work of fiction, and novel also means new. The two senses come from the same Latin word.
A novel is a long fictional narrative, and as an adjective *novel* means new or unusual. Both come from Latin *novus*, new. The book took its name from Italian *novella*, a new story — a short tale of something recently happened — and the form kept the name as it grew longer. The same root gives *novice*, a newcomer, *renovate*, to make new again, and *innovation*.
- A long fiction. *A historical novel.*
- New or unusual. *A novel approach.*
- Novella — a short novel. *A novella.*
- Novice — a beginner. *A novice.*
- Latin — *novus*, new. *The source.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | novel | A long novel. |
| Adjective | novel | A novel idea. |
| Noun | novelist | A novelist. |
| Noun | novelty | A novelty. |
| Latin | novus | New. |
- She published her first novel at thirty.Fiction.
- It was a novel solution.Adjective.
- Novella meant a new short story.Etymology.
Fiction by length
- Short story — under about 7,500 words
- Novelette — roughly 7,500 to 17,500
- Novella — roughly 17,500 to 40,000
- Novel — over about 40,000 words
- The boundaries are conventions of publishing and prize rules, not laws
Italian *novella*, a new story, from Latin *novella*, new things, from *novus*, new.
What is the difference between a novel and a novella?
Length only. A novella is usually under about 40,000 words; a novel is longer. The boundaries are publishing conventions.
Are novel and novice related?
Yes. Both come from Latin novus, new. A novice is a newcomer.