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

Even so, there’s something touching about a storyline that involves an aging guy making one final, desperate grab for that big bank job, that high-stakes bounty, that shiny, emblematic trophy. —Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 17 June 2025

Nixon refused to listen to network executives about the storyline’s direction, the actress remembered. —Victoria Edel, People.com, 16 June 2025

That tension — rooted in past trauma, family obligations and even some unresolved interpersonal drama — drives the storyline. —Manuel Betancourt, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2025

Here are three early storylines to watch around the Guardians and the July 31 trade deadline. —Zack Meisel, New York Times, 16 June 2025

Nikki Bella is already scheduled to appear on the June 16th episode of RAW, where the storyline is expected to continue. —Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 2025

That environment helped to set the storyline in motion. —Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 12 June 2025

The Jay Wright-to-Villanova-to-Knicks storyline practically writes itself, and if New York came calling, who’s to say Dan Hurley wouldn’t at least pick up the phone? —Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 11 June 2025

Cornerback The health of the cornerback room remains one of the biggest storylines heading into training camp, as the Cowboys await the return of Trevon Diggs to see how his health is progressing, and for rookie third-round pick Shavon Revel Jr. to fully recover from his torn ACL last October. —Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 June 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