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 Words From

• short-story adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of short story¹

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

The latter will be a feature film called Dolly and is based on a short story written by Elizabeth Bear.

From Ars Technica

These books are accompanied by dazzling short story collections, heartbreaking debuts and more.

From Time

As the implanted microelectrodes silently recorded the brain cells’ electrical activity, the team asked the participants to listen to a short story.

From Singularity Hub 

There are many elements to consider when reading a short story, but perhaps the most important one is what kind of ending the author chooses.

From Washington Post

She published a few short stories and poems and was an editorial assistant for Oxford University Press in Manhattan before her marriage, in 1948, to Jonathan Bishop, who became a literary scholar.

From Washington Post

Sometimes a column has the economy and rhythm of a short story.

From The Daily Beast

His latest book is a short story collection, Even a Street Dog: Las Vegas Stories.

From The Daily Beast

A study in American military control, a haunting sui generis novel, and a playful new short story collection.

From The Daily Beast

Did you set any technical challenges with this short story collection?

From The Daily Beast

How did your favorite short story writers shape your sensibility?

From The Daily Beast

For we changed our plan, gave up the projected Monte Cristo, and cut it down for a short story.

From Project Gutenberg

Above all, they have brought the short story to a point of singular perfection.

From Project Gutenberg

"It is a very short story," said Bartram, now entirely calm, as he leaned against his desk and folded his arms.

From Project Gutenberg

One, in fact, seems to us a superb short story, but many of the other nineteen are rot.

From Project Gutenberg

Bickerton has a short story to tell, inadequate to the months of work which were expended on that converted aeroplane.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• narrative
• novella
• tale