Bildungsroman is a German word that means "novel of formation," and it refers to a genre of literature that tells the story of a protagonist's maturation, growth, and development throughout the narrative. However, there are several synonyms that can be used to describe this literary category, including "coming of age" novels, "apprenticeship" stories, "education" narratives, and "development" novels. These genre labels are often used interchangeably with bildungsroman, and they all describe a type of fiction that explores the challenges and adventures that characters face as they move from adolescence to adulthood. Whether it's a classic story like Jane Eyre or a contemporary bestseller like The Catcher in the Rye, the bildungsroman genre continues to captivate readers across generations.