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 of storyline

• 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

One of the biggest storylines in college football continues to revolve around Ole Miss Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin, who remains one of the most high-profile names on the coaching circuit. —Cole Sullivan, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Nov. 2025

Depicting the domestic violence storyline for audiences has been as important to Sweeney as the boxing story. —Fred Topel, Deadline, 15 Nov. 2025

The storyline revolves around a desperate man who appears on a deadly reality show that takes advantage of a classist society where many don’t have enough money to live on. —Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 15 Nov. 2025

Moore returns as Cami Miller, whose storyline deepens as the stakes expand across the oil fields. —Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 15 Nov. 2025

Ahead of Sunday’s premiere, Speaks and Collie spoke with the Star-Telegram about season 2 storylines and the reception to the show thus far. —Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Nov. 2025

And so the game of musical bedchambers begins, featuring many familiar names and storylines. —Judy Berman, Time, 14 Nov. 2025

Marvel has a prominent place aboard the Destiny — the MCU's superhero and villain characters are key parts of the overall storyline. —Lindsay Kimble, PEOPLE, 14 Nov. 2025

Jack Pitt-Brooke and Rob Tanner analyse the key storylines from the game. —Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 13 Nov. 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