What Is Another Way to Say “Short Story”?

Looking for synonyms for short story? We’ve got you covered!

Here’s a list of other ways to say short story.

  • Tale
  • Narrative
  • Novella
  • Anecdote
  • Vignette
  • Sketch
  • Yarn
  • Fable
  • Parable
  • Allegory
  • Chronicle
  • Account
  • Legend
  • Myth
  • Saga

Want to learn how to say short story professionally? Keep reading for examples and use cases.

1. Tale

Used for stories, often with imaginative or fantastical elements.
Example: “The author’s latest tale captivates readers with its rich, imaginative world.”

2. Narrative

Appropriate for a structured story with a clear sequence of events.
Example: “The narrative of her experiences abroad was both enlightening and entertaining.”

3. Novella

Refers to a short novel or a long short story, typically focused on a single plot.
Example: “His novella won acclaim for its concise yet powerful storytelling.”

4. Anecdote

Suitable for a brief, amusing, or interesting story about a real incident or person.
Example: “Her speech was peppered with anecdotes from her years in the industry.”

5. Vignette

Used for a short, descriptive piece of literary writing.
Example: “The collection of vignettes offers glimpses into the lives of various characters.”

6. Sketch

Refers to a short, often descriptive, piece of writing that gives an impression rather than a complete plot.
Example: “The writer’s sketches of rural life are both vivid and poignant.”

7. Yarn

An informal term for a long, rambling story, often with exaggerated or improbable elements.
Example: “He’s known for spinning a good yarn at company gatherings.”

8. Fable

A short story typically with animals as characters, conveying a moral.
Example: “The fable about the tortoise and the hare teaches the value of perseverance.”

9. Parable

Used for a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson.
Example: “Her book includes a parable about kindness and generosity.”

10. Allegory

A story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically moral or political.
Example: “The allegory in his latest work critiques modern society.”

11. Chronicle

Refers to a factual written account of important or historical events in the order they occurred.
Example: “The chronicle details the company’s rise from a small startup to an industry leader.”

12. Account

Suitable for a report or description of an event or experience.
Example: “The journalist’s account of the event was both thorough and insightful.”

13. Legend

Used for a traditional story sometimes popularly regarded as historical but not authenticated.
Example: “The book compiles legends from different cultures around the world.”

14. Myth

A traditional story, especially one concerning the early history of a people or explaining a natural or social phenomenon.
Example: “Her latest publication explores myths and their meanings in ancient cultures.”

15. Saga

Refers to a long story of heroic achievement, especially a medieval prose narrative in Old Norse or Old Icelandic.
Example: “The saga, set in medieval times, captures the trials and triumphs of its protagonist.”

Linda Brown