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

Still, studios and private investors are racing to get new storylines to the big screen. — Laya Neelakandan, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2026

The Raiders’ resurgence ranks among the biggest NFL storylines, with the team off to its first 3-0 start since 2021 — making this just the second time in the past quarter-century that the Raiders have started 3-0. — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2026

Digger contains a twist upending its narrative that’s complicated the reviews and discussion as critics have been tiptoeing around describing the film’s actual meta storyline. — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2026

Of course, Schlittler’s performance wouldn’t matter without some offense, which was a large storyline entering the postseason, considering Judge was always on the fence in terms of making the roster. — Scott Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for storyline

• alkaline
• andesine
• anodyne
• anticline
• arginine
• asinine
• benzidine
• borderline
• byzantine
• calamine
• caroline
• centerline