logline

noun

log·​line ˈlȯg-ˌlīn 

ˈläg-

variants or less commonly log line or log-line

plural loglines also log lines or log-lines

: a simple synopsis of a screenplay, film, novel, etc. that is used for pitching (see pitch entry 3 sense 3c) or promotion

You're not telling a story in a logline. You're presenting the core concept of your script. You don't need to delve into twists, character arcs, and plot. You're simply conveying the core idea—the initial seed from that which the plot, characters, twists, turns, and ensuing conflict grows.

—Ken Miyamoto

The new series "tells the story of one year within the walls of the palace of a modern European regime as it begins to unravel," according to its official logline.

—Charna Flam

There are many formats you can use to write a good logline. (The one I currently use is: "When _____ happens to [your hero], he must do _____ in order to solve his problem.)"

—Linda Venis

[Brad] Pitt himself gave [screenwriter Steve] Conrad producing notes to help push the narrative beyond the surface gimmick. … But in spite of its bankable star and juicy log line, the film never went into production.

—Yohana Desta

Examples of logline in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This logline is slightly different from the premise of Fox’s original, which debuted in 1993 and ran for nine seasons and spawned two movies. —James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 23 Feb. 2026

Submissions are open in February, with Evoke participating in judging for the final round, reviewing semi-finalist’s loglines and reading all 10 finalists’ scripts. —Glenn Garner, Deadline, 20 Feb. 2026

Kelly O'Sullivan and Alex Thompson, known for their films Saint Frances and Ghostlight, have always been experts at making humanity feel precious with stories that always loom much larger than their loglines. —Teresa Xie, NPR, 20 Feb. 2026

No official logline has been released for the film, but the name itself gives a hint at the time frame for the flick, at least. —Bethy Squires, Vulture, 18 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

log entry 1 + line entry 1, originally in reference to the line in a TV program log that summarizes the plot of a show

First Known Use

1982, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for logline

• affine
• airline
• align
• aline
• assign
• baseline
• beamline
• benign
• bloodline
• bovine
• byline
• canine