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

Here are the athletes and storylines to watch. —Michelle Bruton, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026

Taking on a season-long storyline rather than the anthology format of the '90s TV series, Goosebumps follows a group of teens who are haunted by the ghost of another teen, Harold Biddle. —Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Jan. 2026

The video segments and special effects always played to the lyrics, strengthening storylines with images that moved between fantastical and rooted in reality. —Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 25 Jan. 2026

The storyline has been that Apple can’t shoot straight; the antipathy of the Apple-using/hating commentators runs so deep that the critics dredged up the canard that Apple’s done nothing since former CEO Steve Jobs died. —Jim Cramer, CNBC, 25 Jan. 2026

Kupp, the 2022 Super Bowl MVP, signed with Seattle in the offseason and will face his former team on Sunday in another compelling storyline. —Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 24 Jan. 2026

Whilst capitalism is, of course, still the driving force behind each storyline, season 4 is more attuned to the power structures that orbit it. —Chloe Laws, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Jan. 2026

Each company’s report is like a new episode in an ongoing storyline. —Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 23 Jan. 2026

The first-quarter storyline was all about whether the Thunder would have the best season ever. —Zach Harper, New York Times, 23 Jan. 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