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

While pic’s logline is under wraps, sources say the film takes place during the summer of 1976, when a young Anthony Bourdain has a life-changing summer in Provincetown. —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 12 Aug. 2025

The horror development pipeline will launch on Stage 32, with Mammoth reviewing semi-finalist loglines and finalist scripts. —J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 11 Aug. 2025

The logline: In the special, Roberts will revisit the streets of her hometown, Pass Christian, Mississippi and speak with residents whose lives were upended in the wake of one of the deadliest and costliest natural disasters in U.S. history. —Marc Berman, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025

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

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