story line: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2-C1Formal to neutral; common in literary, media, film/TV criticism, journalism, and everyday conversation about narratives.
Quick answer
What does “story line” mean?
The main plot or sequence of events in a narrative work such as a novel, film, play, or television series.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The main plot or sequence of events in a narrative work such as a novel, film, play, or television series.
A connected series of events or developments, often used metaphorically to describe the progression of real-life situations, business strategies, or personal journeys.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or usage. The spelling 'storyline' (one word) is dominant in both, though 'story line' (two words) is an occasional, less common variant.
Connotations
Identical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both UK and US English, especially in contexts discussing film, TV, and literature.
Grammar
How to Use “story line” in a Sentence
The storyline of [NOUN PHRASE][ADJECTIVE] storylineto follow/develop/unfold a storylineVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “story line” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The series is storylined by a team of writers.
- They need to storyline the second season carefully.
American English
- The showrunner storylined the entire arc in one weekend.
- We should storyline the key beats before scripting.
adverb
British English
- The episodes were connected storyline-wise.
- The film progressed storyline-fully, if predictably.
American English
- The game is structured storyline-first.
- It's a bit weak, storyline-speaking.
adjective
British English
- The storyline development was crucial to the pitch.
- She has a strong storyline sense.
American English
- The storyline notes from the editor were extensive.
- He's known for his storyline ideas.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used metaphorically to describe the strategic narrative of a company or product launch (e.g., 'The marketing campaign's storyline focuses on sustainability').
Academic
Used in literary criticism, media studies, and narratology to analyze structural components of a text.
Everyday
Common when discussing films, TV series, books, or video games (e.g., 'I couldn't follow the storyline after episode three').
Technical
Used in screenwriting, game design, and publishing to refer to the plotted sequence of scenes or levels.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “story line”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “story line”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “story line”
- Using 'story' when the structural, sequential aspect is key (e.g., 'The film's story was good' vs. 'The film's storyline was too convoluted').
- Misspelling as two separate words 'story line' is less standard.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Story' is the general account of events, real or imagined. 'Storyline' emphasizes the structured, plotted sequence of those events, particularly as a constructed element in a creative work.
It is standardly written as one word: 'storyline'. The two-word variant 'story line' is seen occasionally but is less common.
Yes, often metaphorically. For example, 'The storyline of his political career was one of unexpected comebacks.' It frames real events as having a narrative structure.
Common verbs include: follow, develop, unravel, advance, complicate, simplify, abandon, and weave (as in 'weave a storyline').
The main plot or sequence of events in a narrative work such as a novel, film, play, or television series.
Story line is usually formal to neutral; common in literary, media, film/tv criticism, journalism, and everyday conversation about narratives. in register.
Story line: in British English it is pronounced /ˈstɔːrɪlaɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈstɔːriˌlaɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A twist in the storyline”
- “To lose the thread of the storyline”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a LINE of STORied events, one following the other.
Conceptual Metaphor
A JOURNEY (the storyline takes us from A to B), A THREAD (to follow the storyline), or A PATH (the storyline twists and turns).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best captures the meaning of 'storyline'?