short story

noun

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

short story

noun

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

Other Word Forms

• short-story adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of short story¹

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

Susan Cheever reads her father’s short stories and reconsiders her memories of him as parent and artist.

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Perhaps as a bid to restore her father’s literary importance, Ms. Cheever has produced a sequel to “Home Before Dark” that emphasizes his work—specifically his short stories—more than his life.

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It is also a tender farewell to youth, a theme that is central to a short story Jordan loves by a writer named Ray Hart.

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His novels, short stories and essays are best known in Germany -- where he lived for long periods -- and his native Hungary.

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His novels, short stories and essays are best known in Germany -- where he lived for long periods -- and Hungary, where he is considered by many as the country's most important living author.

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Related Words

• narrative 
• novella 
• tale