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

As previously reported, Samuel L. Jackson (Pulp Fiction) Season 3 will see the introduction of Russell Lee Washington Jr., who hails from the crime underworld just like Dwight Per the official logline, Russell and Dwight met while both were doing serious time in federal prison. —Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 31 July 2025

Zero Gravity will personally review semi-finalist loglines and all top 10 finalist scripts, with winners selected based on both creative merit and commercial viability. —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 28 July 2025

Titled Pluribus, the nine-episode series, described as genre-bending, centers on the most miserable person on Earth, tasked to save the world from happiness, per the enigmatic logline. —EW.com, 25 July 2025

It’s believed that these companies then signed a two-page contract, which highlights that the successful company won’t secure any back-end rights to the property, before being asked to submit a logline. —Peter White, Deadline, 22 July 2025

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