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

• 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

The storyline comes following the season 22 premiere, where Amelia was rocked by the death of fellow doctor Monica Beltran, played by Natalie Morales, who was the sole casualty in the season opener after last season’s cliffhanger finale when the hospital was hit with an explosion. —Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2025

The movie’s handling of its storyline of campus power dynamics has sparked plenty of controversy since its August premiere at the Venice Film Festival, and its wide release in cinemas this weekend is sure to reignite the conversation. —Barry Levitt, Time, 17 Oct. 2025

Week 7 in the NFL already has a lot of storylines leading up to it, and a new one just emerged on Thursday. —Tyler Geis, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025

The Clippers’ 23-year, $300 million sponsorship deal with Aspiration has been one of the NBA’s biggest offseason storylines. —Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 16 Oct. 2025

No information on the storyline was immediately available. —Pat Saperstein, Variety, 15 Oct. 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