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

One storyline that will be at the forefront of the upcoming season centers on Wednesday's Aunt Ophelia, who's been spoken about in hushed whispers throughout season 2. —Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Feb. 2026

But the main storylines to emerge from that winter sports empire were its lead in the gold and overall medal counts, and the awe-inspiring athletic machinery that is cross-country skier Johannes Høsflot Klaebo, winner of six golds at these Olympics—a new winter record for a single Games. —Sean Gregory, Time, 23 Feb. 2026

The Mets‘ infield might be one of the most interesting storylines this season. —Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 22 Feb. 2026

Viewers may also appreciate the darker storylines in the spin-off. —Marta Balaga, Variety, 20 Feb. 2026

Both teams enter the season with compelling storylines. —Miami Herald, 20 Feb. 2026

Erickson, whose close bond with Hunter was one of the major storylines of the season, defeated Kamilla to punch her ticket to the final three in one of the many emotional moments from season 48. —Christopher Kuhagen, jsonline.com, 20 Feb. 2026

Conover is the founder of Sewing Down South, a lifestyle brand born from his passion for sewing, which was a major storyline on the Bravo series early on. —Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 19 Feb. 2026

The timing — barely days into the competition — raised eyebrows and drew widespread attention, quickly becoming one of the more lighthearted storylines of the Games. —Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 19 Feb. 2026

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