short story

American  

noun

1. a piece of prose fiction, usually under 10,000 words.

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short story British  

noun

1. a prose narrative of shorter length than the novel, esp one that concentrates on a single theme

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Other Word Forms

• short-story adjective

Etymology

Origin of short story

First recorded in 1885–90

Compare meaning

How does short-story compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• short story vs. novella

Example Sentences

This is as it ought to be with short stories, which have to make their points in a relative hurry.

From Los Angeles Times

While Jones had Toni Morrison’s short story “Recitatif” in mind while writing “Kin,” her take on the subject is singular.

From Los Angeles Times

Sam A. Davis didn’t exactly love Ivan Turgenev’s short story “The Singers,” at first — “honestly, I nodded off a couple times,” he says.

From Los Angeles Times

She produced several short stories, including “Frau Brechenmacher Attends a Wedding,” which explores the dynamics within marriage.

From The Wall Street Journal

Your 2022 short story “Liberation Day” reminded me of people who develop romantic relationships with AI.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• narrative
• novella
• tale