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

Each program brought intriguing storylines, and some featured All-Americans who proved to be more than just ballers. —Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 31 Mar. 2026

One of the biggest storylines in the lead-up to Opening Day was who exactly will get the right to challenge pitches. —Johnny Flores Jr, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2026

Scattered through the book is a catalog of trinkets collected by Helm, wending through eight storylines exploring the effect of matter around us, and our effect on matter. —The Know, Denver Post, 29 Mar. 2026

Smith’s return to New York is already one of the more intriguing storylines of the offseason. —Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2026

Best of all, fan favorite and Marvel Defender badass Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter) enlivens the action while Vanessa, Fisk’s fascinating soulmate portrayed with a luminosity as well as a pointed edge by Ayelet Zurer, advance the storyline. —Randy Myers, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026

This tension plays out in the storyline of Frendy, a magnetic student of Haitian descent who uses bachata to fit in. —Fidel Martinez, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026

Grey’s Anatomy showrunner Meg Marinis addressed the Winston-Jules storyline and its parallels to Derek and Meredith after the Season 21 finale last May. —Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 26 Mar. 2026

In the storyline, we are warned multiple times to stow our phones so we can’t be traced. —Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Mar. 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