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

• 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

However, one of the ongoing storylines has centered around first-round pick and star offensive tackle Josh Simmons, who has been away from the team for roughly two weeks while attending to personal matters off the field. —Cole Sullivan, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025

This aspect of the storyline was later dropped. —Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025

So let’s get into season-two storylines without spoiling anything for our readers. —Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 23 Oct. 2025

Bell, who has been married to actor and podcast host Dax Shepard since 2013, thinks the potential storylines for Season 3 are endless. —Erin Jensen, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025

Strangely, the show abandons her storyline just after the midpoint of the season. —Judy Berman, Time, 23 Oct. 2025

In some respects, adapting this of all the manga’s storylines for the big screen is an odd choice. —Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 22 Oct. 2025

Taking on aspects of Andre’s — and Chance’s — presence in the gang’s storyline this season wasn’t something Thomas had an awareness of, particularly in scenes that were maybe rewritten for him. —Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2025

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