backstory

noun

back·​story ˈbak-ˌstȯr-ē 

: a story that tells what led up to the main story or plot (as of a film)

Examples of backstory in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The backstory Four Seasons opened here in 1999 as one of the first true luxury, non-gaming options on the Strip, intentionally designed as a hotel-within-a-hotel atop Mandalay Bay. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026

Bees Knees The Bee’s Knees—gin, lemon, and honey—is a simple drink with a rich backstory. — Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 15 Aug. 2026

The third episode, written by Breannah Gibson and directed by Geeta Vasant Patel, does great backstory work for John and his family. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2026

The cutscenes feel like they’re pulled from a movie, and there’s enough complicated backstory between Wolverine, Sabretooth and Essex to fill a limited series. — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1982, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for backstory

• aurore
• forbore
• outlawry
• pylori
• savoury
• signori
• signory
• vainglory
• accusatory
• admonitory
• ambulatory
• amendatory