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

Bell has continued to build on the storyline, starting with Santa. —Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 22 Nov. 2025

Working to condense the storyline and identify a singular enemy, writers like Noel Langley reoriented the tale around a menacing Wicked Witch. —Time, 21 Nov. 2025

Numerous couples’ storylines highlight family and friends of the American partner who question the girlfriend’s or boyfriend’s motives, accusing them of faking love for financial gain and access to a green card. —Julia Meszaros, The Conversation, 21 Nov. 2025

This 2025 holiday season, Baum’s storyline and the iconic hotel continue to resonate in tandem. —Nina Ruggiero, Travel + Leisure, 21 Nov. 2025

With tournament implications, personal grudges, and high emotions on deck, this SmackDown could set the tone for major storylines heading into Survivor Series. —Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025

There wasn’t any one character who, again, was a one-to-one, but Max’s storyline was a way of us communicating what a lot of high school felt like to us, and same with what the boys were going through. —Kate Aurthur, Variety, 21 Nov. 2025

But in the context of the franchise’s 66 years, one storyline stands out. —Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Nov. 2025

Off in her own storyline, Eleven leaves the cabin to visit her mother, Terry, who remains catatonic. —Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 19 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