backstory

noun

back·​story ˈbak-ˌstȯr-ē How to pronounce backstory (audio)
: 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
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While the standalone cases keep the season moving, the backstory about Colter’s father has been the slow burn looming in the background. Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2025 So of course the addition of a new accessory, the aforementioned black velvet hair bow, comes with a bit of a sartorial backstory. Olivia Allen, Vogue, 9 May 2025 This backstory, too long to fit into a text message, was part of what gave the Times Square event its significance: Garcia and Haney were each fighting separately, against opponents they were favored to beat, in order to drum up interest in a future rematch. Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 6 May 2025 The new trailer, which is almost three minutes long, gives us a better look at Vice City and more details about the storyline for Rockstar's next big adventure, including more backstory for the Bonnie and Clyde-like characters introduced in the first trailer. James Peckham, PC Magazine, 6 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for backstory

Word History

First Known Use

1982, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of backstory was in 1982

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Cite this Entry

“Backstory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backstory. Accessed 22 May. 2025.

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