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

The call occurs as the ladies settle back into Atlanta and return to their personal storylines. —Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 25 May 2026

Here, The Athletic’s tennis writers, Ava Wallace, Matt Futterman and Charlie Eccleshare, chart some of the key storylines to follow over the next fortnight. —Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 23 May 2026

This show also slots into a busy stretch, sitting one week before Clash in Italy in Turin on May 31, so several of these results feel designed to set up European storylines. —Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026

However, instead of wrapping up storylines neatly, the series' final episode created more questions, and left many feeling cheated of a firm resolution. —Julie Tremaine, PEOPLE, 23 May 2026

One of the coolest storylines from Day 1 is that Indy, a rising pop star (and massive New York Knicks fan) out of New Zealand, was making her festival debut as the opening act on the biggie Prudential Stage — where, some eight hours later, her sister Lorde would conduct her own headlining set. —Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 23 May 2026

The attraction introduces new visuals and a fresh storyline, extending in the queue, representing an Arctic research outpost. —Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 May 2026

Rian is similarly hamstrung by inarticulacy and masculine angst, but his storyline feels the least convincing, as if fashioned only to prove money can’t buy happiness, even if Cole convincingly suggests unspoken depths. —Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2026

With that, here are three storylines of interest. —Pete Sweeney may 22, Kansas City Star, 22 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for storyline

• alkaline
• andesine
• anodyne
• anticline
• arginine
• asinine
• benzidine
• borderline
• byzantine
• calamine
• caroline
• centerline