Short Story Definition, Examples & Usage

Meaning 1：brief fictional tale (Short Story)

Short Story 🔊

/ʃɔːrt ˈstɔːri/

A fictional story that is short enough to read in one sitting, with a complete plot but fewer characters and details than a novel.

Person reading a short story book in a cozy chair with tea

brief fictional tale 🔊

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/briːf ˈfɪkʃənl teɪl/

A short work of fiction that can be read in one sitting, typically focusing on a single incident or character.

📁 Category：Culture & History 🔖 Level：beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

'Short' (OE scort) + 'Story' (L. historia).

💡 Mnemonic

Think of a brief tale that fits in a single coffee break – quick to read, quick to enjoy.

📖 Example

My English teacher recommended a short story that I could finish during my commute to school. 🔊 My English teacher suggested a short story that I could read during my journey to school.

🔗 Collocations

short story collection – A book containing several short stories

short story writer – An author who specializes in writing short stories

short story anthology – A published collection of short stories by various authors

🔄 Synonyms

tale (n.) – A simple or traditional story, often with a moral or entertaining element

narrative (n.) – A spoken or written account of connected events; a story

fable (n.) – A short story, typically with animals as characters, conveying a moral lesson

🚫 Antonyms

novel (n.) – A long fictional narrative with complex plot and many characters

epic (n.) – A long poem or story about heroic deeds and events

saga (n.) – A long, involved story or series of events

📖 Cultural Story

The short story genre flourished in the 19th century, pioneered by authors like Edgar Allan Poe and Anton Chekhov, emphasizing concise narrative impact.