storyline

noun

sto·​ry·​line ˈstȯr-ē-ˌlīn 

variants or less commonly story line

plural storylines also story lines

1

: a plotline of a story, drama, or game

HBO's Insecure has been an exquisite platform of compelling, nuanced, mature storylines for Black TV comedy during its run.

—Matthew Allen

Pointless, menial objectives in a game distract from the main storyline and dilute the impact of more fun, engrossing missions.

—Teddy Amenabar

The two story lines, each with its own compelling view of love, coalesce in a dramatic and surprising ending.

—Martha Toll

also : story sense 1a

I've long wondered how the brain fits such unexpected sounds so smoothly and adroitly into dreams. The suggestion that the brain always brings phenomena to awareness a split second after they actually occur—in order to construct a plausible storyline for their appearance—offers a possible answer.

—Robert Levy

2

: a matter of particular importance, concern, or interest to an audience

—used especially in sports

The main storyline for the Timberwolves is the addition of three-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert.

—Tyler Schmidt

The fact Ovechkin has brought the impossible record within reach changes the way you watch the game. … Because Gretzky's goal total is the ultimate individual record in the sport, the chase trumps every other storyline surrounding this team from now until Ovechkin gets there.

—J. J. Regan

often : one that is evolving or developing

The offensive line is a major storyline to watch throughout training camp and the preseason, especially considering there's a new quarterback under center for the fifth consecutive season.

—Kevin Hickey

Synonyms of storyline

• story
• plot
• action

Examples of storyline in a Sentence

the story line is clumsily interrupted several times to provide some much-needed background information

Recent Examples on the Web

The wide age range created several interesting storylines at Augusta National Golf Club last year. —Jack Leo, AJC.com, 4 Apr. 2026

Officiating largely faded as a storyline throughout the second half, as Wembanyama shifted back to the Jokic matchup. —Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 4 Apr. 2026

The storylines and analogies Brown uses vary in familiarity. —Haley Sawyer, Daily News, 4 Apr. 2026

But the arc — first raising expectations for a big reveal, then declaring there was nothing to see, and ultimately a forced, flawed document dump — was a stubbornly problematic storyline that ran through her time as attorney general. —ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026

In the publicity run leading up to the movie, Zendaya and Pattinson have also avoided commenting on the plot twist or overall storyline. —Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026

But Boston also floated ideas for continuing the existing storyline. —Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 3 Apr. 2026

Meyer’s essay reminded me of another common storyline in fiction, one that might seem to trace an opposite trajectory but in fact runs a parallel course. —Boris Kachka, The Atlantic, 3 Apr. 2026

At the time, her storyline included opening up to then-lead Farmer Chris about being a virgin. —Sarah Hearon, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for storyline

• acridine
• alkaline
• andesine
• anodyne
• anticline
• arginine
• asinine
• atropine
• benzidine
• borderline
• byzantine
• calamine