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

• action
• plot
• story

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

Most teen-centric movies and TV shows include a prom storyline, with characters often showcasing some of the most head-turning looks. —Diana Pearl, People.com, 24 May 2025

Read: The sincerity and absurdity of Hollywood’s best action franchise As a grand valediction to a long-running storyline, the self-reflexiveness makes some sense. —David Sims, The Atlantic, 23 May 2025

Tough love isn't necessarily a storyline in most romantic comedies. —Ew Staff, EW.com, 22 May 2025

There’s so many characters, and there’s so much storyline in it. —Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2025

Rodgers and Watt might be the biggest storylines this time of year, but OTAs are also a great opportunity for under-the-radar players to make their cases. —Mike Defabo, New York Times, 22 May 2025

Okay, this might be a little hyperbole, but the final beats of the Season 10 finale reveal a hook-up that fans have longed for, but was thought to have been abandoned as a storyline. —Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 21 May 2025

With such a variety of capabilities among the contenders, the race for the starting quarterback role is shaping up to be a compelling storyline for the Knights this offseason. —Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 May 2025

Throughout the course of the college football offseason, North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick has been arguably the biggest storyline. —Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 May 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