I. nov ‧ el 1 W3 /ˈnɒv ə l $ ˈnɑː-/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Date: 1500-1600 ; Language: Italian ; Origin: novella ; ⇨ ↑ novella ]
a long written story in which the characters and events are usually imaginary ⇨ fiction :
a novel by Jane Austen
It took Vikram Seth three years to write his 1,349-page novel ‘A Suitable Boy’.
detective/romantic/historical etc novel
a newly published science fiction novel
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THESAURUS
■ types of book
▪ novel noun [countable] a book about imaginary people and events:
The film is based on Nick Hornby’s best-selling novel.
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a historical novel
▪ fiction noun [uncountable] books that describe imaginary people and events:
She reads a lot of romantic fiction.
▪ literature noun [uncountable] novels and plays that are considered to be important works of art:
I’m studying American literature at university.
▪ non-fiction noun [uncountable] books that describe real people and events:
Men tend to prefer non-fiction.
▪ science fiction noun [uncountable] books about imaginary events in the future or space travel
▪ reference book noun [countable] a book such as a dictionary or encyclopedia, which you look at to find information
▪ textbook noun [countable] a book about a particular subject that you use in a classroom
▪ set book British English , course book British English noun [countable] a book that you have to study as part of your course
▪ guidebook noun [countable] a book telling visitors about a city or country
▪ picture book noun [countable] a book for children with many pictures in it
▪ hardcover/hardback noun [countable] a book that has a hard stiff cover
▪ paperback noun [countable] a book that has a paper cover
▪ biography noun [countable] a book about a real person’s life, written by another person
▪ autobiography noun [countable] a book that someone has written about their own life
▪ recipe book/cookery book British English ( also cookbook American English ) noun [countable] a book that tells you how to cook different meals
II. novel 2 BrE AmE adjective [usually before noun]
[ Date: 1400-1500 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: 'new' , from Latin novellus , from novus 'new' ]
not like anything known before, and unusual or interesting
novel idea/approach/method etc
What a novel idea!
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THESAURUS
▪ new :
a new sports centre
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a new edition of the book
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an entirely new theory of time and space
▪ brand new completely new:
a brand new car
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The house looks brand new.
▪ recent made, produced etc a short time ago:
recent research into brain chemistry
▪ the latest [only before noun] the most recent:
Have you seen his latest film?
|
the latest fashions from Paris
▪ modern different from earlier things of the same kind because of using new methods, equipment, or designs:
modern technology
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modern farming methods
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a modern kitchen
▪ original new and completely different from what other people have done or thought of before, especially in a way that seems interesting:
The play is highly original.
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His style is completely original.
▪ fresh fresh ideas, evidence, or ways of doing things are new and different, and are used instead of previous ones:
We need a fresh approach to the problem.
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They want young people with fresh ideas.
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Police think they may have found some fresh evidence that links him to the murder.
▪ novel new and different in a surprising and unusual way – used especially about a suggestion, experience, or way of doing something:
The club have come up with a novel way of raising cash.
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The King was passionately in love, which was a novel experience for him.
▪ innovative completely new and showing a lot of imagination – used especially about a design or way of doing something:
an attractive website with an innovative design
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They came up with an innovative approach to the problem.
▪ revolutionary completely new in a way that has a very big effect – used especially about an idea, method, or invention:
a revolutionary treatment for breast cancer
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His theories were considered to be revolutionary at the time.
▪ new-fangled [only before noun] used about something that is new and modern but which you disapprove of:
My grandfather hated all this newfangled technology.