telenovela
Americannoun
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.
Indeed, the 44-year-old -- the son of popular telenovela actress Maria Sorte -- has become something of a folk superhero in a country worn down by violence, with the looks and attitude to match.
From Barron's ● May 10, 2026
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
I just was like, I want to make the telenovela and set it to disco music … something electronic, glamorous.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2025
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
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
