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

Here are the most compelling storylines to follow in each of this weekend’s playoff contests. —Mike Jones, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026

Langdon is drawn away from Louie when a baby is found in the waiting room bathroom, a mysterious storyline that will continue throughout the season. —Ashley Boucher, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Jan. 2026

We'll be based in Milan for much of February, covering more than a dozen sports, hundreds of athletes and countless other storylines — both big and small — online, on the air, on social media and in your inbox. —Npr Staff, NPR, 9 Jan. 2026

This video is a modern take on two classics that transforms the fairy tales into a musical, pairing new songs with the traditional storylines. —Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 9 Jan. 2026

The one notable area of improvement on the movie is in the handling of the older Noah and Allie storyline. —Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026

The storyline will continue to show Kyle’s journey through the Kingstown meat grinder. —Demetrius Patterson, HollywoodReporter, 9 Jan. 2026

In what is sure to be one of our long-term storylines for the season, a baby is left in the waiting room restroom. —Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2026

Later in the year, the Nodes of Destiny will shift in July, redirecting our collective storyline. —Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 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