noun (1) no· va ˈnō-və. plural novas or novae ˈnō- (ˌ)vē. -ˌvī. Synonyms of nova. : a star that suddenly increases its light output tremendously and then fades away to its former obscurity in a few months or years. novalike. ˈnō-və-ˌlīk. adjective. nova. 2 of 2. noun (2) often capitalized. : cured and smoked salmon.
