novel

novel

I

nov‧el¹ W3 /ˈnɒvəl $ ˈnɑː-/ noun [countable]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
     

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. | 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

novel² adjective [usually before noun]not like anything known before, and unusual or interesting
    novel idea/approach/method etc
    What a novel idea!
     

THESAURUS

   ▪ new: a new sports centre | a new edition of the book | an entirely new theory of time and space
   ▪ brand new completely new: a brand new car | 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 | modern farming methods | 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. | 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. | They want young people with fresh ideas. | 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. | 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 | 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 | 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.