storyline
🇺🇸 /ˈstɔriːˌlaɪn/
📖 Definitions
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noun
The plot or sequence of events in a novel, film, television series, or other narrative work; the main thread of a story.; A particular narrative or account of events, especially one presented in a specific way to convey a particular message or perspective.; In professional wrestling or similar entertainment, a scripted sequence of events and rivalries designed to engage the audience.; In video games, the overarching narrative or quest structure that guides the player through the game world.; A coherent series of related events or developments in real life, often used metaphorically to describe ongoing situations in politics, business, or public affairs.
🔗 Details
Word forms
countable
Plural: storylines
Collocations
main storylinecentral storylinefollow the storylinecomplex storylinethe storyline involvesparallel storylines
Derivatives
storystorytellerstorytelling
Synonyms
plotnarrativestory arcthreadscenario
Commonly confused
story
EN: 'story' is the general term for a tale or account; 'storyline' specifically refers to the structured sequence of events or plot within a narrative.
plot
EN: 'plot' can mean the sequence of events in a story (like 'storyline') but also a secret scheme or a piece of land; 'storyline' is used only in the narrative sense.
Spelling tips
EN: Write 'storyline' as one word, not 'story line' (two words), which is an older or less standard variant.
💬 Examples
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The storyline of the movie was complex, weaving together multiple characters' lives over several decades.
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The media has been pushing a storyline that the company is on the verge of collapse.
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The wrestling promotion introduced a new storyline involving a betrayal between former tag team partners.
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The game's main storyline takes approximately forty hours to complete, but side quests can double that time.
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The election campaign has produced several unexpected storylines that no one predicted at the start.