telenovela

American  

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

noun

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

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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. )

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

telenovela

Mr. De los Santos directed with economy and precision, capturing the physical essence of these relationships—as when Macaria and Pina playfully acted out the extremes of telenovela emoting.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2026

But attracting the broadest pool of viewers and marketers might turn on whether microdrama can expand beyond its current telenovela and Hallmark Channel style to other genres.

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

It shows in “Inebria me,” where she employs the classic narrative structure of the telenovela, but with a queer twist.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2025

She had taken dozens of photos with telenovela actors, local newscasters, and writers who’d passed through town.

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

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