telenovela

American

[tel-uh-noh-vel-uh] / ˌtɛl ə noʊˈvɛl ə /

noun

(in Latin America and Hispanic communities) a television soap opera, usually having a limited number of episodes.

Etymology

Origin of telenovela

First recorded in 1960–65; from Spanish, equivalent to tele- tele- ¹ ( def. ) + novela “novel, serial drama”; see novel ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The show’s finale reveals, in true telenovela style, that the titular friend is less a millionaire than a price-conscious shopper.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

And Melissa McCarthy channels telenovela drama for cosmetics brand e.l.f. — a nod to Bad Bunny's request that fans learn Spanish before his halftime performance.

From Barron's • Feb. 6, 2026

Some of the Twickenham scripts would have been shredded as too outlandish by a telenovela writers' room.

From BBC • Feb. 8, 2025

With hints of telenovela, that accent that identifies us and the references to the freeways — it’s like watching yourself on an “SNL” skit.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 4, 2024

Through the window, I could see she had fallen asleep on her recliner while watching her favorite telenovela, El comandante y la duquesa.

From "The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora" by Pablo Cartaya

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023