storyville: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2/RareFormal/Historical/Jazz
Quick answer
What does “storyville” mean?
A historical district in New Orleans known for its legalized prostitution from 1897 to 1917.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A historical district in New Orleans known for its legalized prostitution from 1897 to 1917.
Any vibrant, often historically significant, entertainment or cultural district, especially one associated with music, nightlife, or a somewhat disreputable past; also refers to the eponymous 1995 album by jazz musician Wynton Marsalis.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is equally recognized in both varieties but is more likely to be encountered in American contexts due to its origin in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
Connotations
In both varieties, it connotes historical significance, jazz music origins, and a bygone era of urban nightlife and vice.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in everyday language in both UK and US. Most common in historical texts, music journalism, and cultural studies.
Grammar
How to Use “storyville” in a Sentence
[Proper Noun] (functioning as a locative noun)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “storyville” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [Not applicable as a verb]
American English
- [Not applicable as a verb]
adverb
British English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
American English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- The pianist had a distinctive Storyville sound.
- He collects Storyville-era memorabilia.
American English
- The band's style is very Storyville.
- She's an expert on Storyville history.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used in tourism or heritage business contexts: 'The tour focuses on the Storyville jazz legacy.'
Academic
Used in historical, musicological, or American studies papers: 'The closure of Storyville in 1917 dispersed jazz musicians nationally.'
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation.
Technical
Used as a specific historical reference in music history or urban history.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “storyville”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “storyville”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “storyville”
- Using lowercase ('storyville') in formal writing.
- Using it as a common noun for any story (*'He told a long storyville').
- Mispronouncing it as 'storey-ville' (relating to floors of a building).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the physical district as it existed was officially closed in 1917. The area is now part of the French Quarter and Tremé neighbourhoods, but you can take historical tours that discuss its legacy.
It provided a concentrated environment where musicians could work steadily, leading to the cross-pollination of musical ideas that were crucial in the formative years of jazz.
Rarely and only in metaphorical or literary contexts. For example: 'The downtown area became a modern-day storyville for artists.' In standard usage, it should be capitalized as a proper noun.
Trumpeter and composer Wynton Marsalis named his 1995 live album 'Storyville' as a tribute to the New Orleans district and its central role in jazz history.
A historical district in New Orleans known for its legalized prostitution from 1897 to 1917.
Storyville is usually formal/historical/jazz in register.
Storyville: in British English it is pronounced /ˈstɔːrɪvɪl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈstɔriˌvɪl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No established idioms for this proper noun]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'village' full of 'stories'—Storyville was a district famous for its tales, music, and history.
Conceptual Metaphor
A CONTAINER OF HISTORY/CULTURE (Storyville is conceptualized as a physical place that held and produced cultural artifacts, specifically early jazz.)
Practice
Quiz
What is 'Storyville' most historically associated with?