Reading Theme:
Novel Meaning: Noun vs Adjective with Examples (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：a long fictional story (novel)
novel
/ˈnɑː.vəl/
n., adj.
A long written story about imaginary people and events, usually printed as a book.
a long fictional story
➕
/ə lɒŋ ˈfɪkʃənəl ˈstɔːri/
n., adj.
A novel is a lengthy narrative work of fiction, typically detailing characters and events in a structured plot, often published as a book.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'novellus' (young, new), diminutive of 'novus'; related to 'nova' and 'innovation'.
💡 Mnemonic
Think 'novus' = new: a novel is a new story; a novel idea is a new idea.
📖 Example
During the summer holiday, I finally had time to read that novel about a magical school that everyone was talking about.
During the summer holiday, I finally had time to read that novel about a magical school that everyone was talking about.
🔗 Collocations
read a novel – to engage in reading a long fictional work
bestselling novel – a novel that has achieved high sales
novel series – a sequence of novels with connected stories or characters
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
nonfiction (n.) – prose writing based on real events, facts, and people
biography (n.) – a detailed account of someone's life, factual not fictional
documentary (n.) – a factual film or TV program presenting real events or information
🌱 Derivatives
novelist (n.) – a person who writes novels
novella (n.) – a short novel or a long short story
novelistic (adj.) – characteristic or typical of a novel
📖 Cultural Story
Evolved from Italian 'novella' meaning 'news' or 'short tale'. By the 17th century it referred to long fictional narratives. The adjective sense 'original' emerged in the 18th century.
Meaning 2：new and original (novel)
novel
/ˈnɑː.vəl/
n., adj.
New, original, and not like anything seen or experienced before.
new and original
➕
/njuː ænd əˈrɪdʒɪnəl/
n., adj.
When describing something as 'novel', it means it is strikingly different from what has existed before, showing originality and inventiveness.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
The scientist proposed a novel approach to solving the energy problem, which surprised everyone at the conference.
The scientist proposed a novel approach to solving the energy problem, which surprised everyone at the conference.
🔗 Collocations
novel approach – a new and original method or strategy
novel idea – an original concept that differs from conventional thinking
novel technique – an innovative method of doing something
🔄 Synonyms
innovative (adj.) – introducing new ideas or methods; advanced and original
original (adj.) – not derived from something else; first of its kind
groundbreaking (adj.) – making new discoveries or using new methods; highly innovative
🚫 Antonyms
traditional (adj.) – existing in or as part of a long-established custom or style
conventional (adj.) – following accepted standards or practices; not unusual
outdated (adj.) – no longer in use or useful; obsolete
🌱 Derivatives
novelty (n.) – the quality of being new, original, or unusual
novelistic (adj.) – characteristic of a novel, but also used metaphorically for original qualities
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