Definition

1. Noun:
   • A narrative, either true or fictitious, told for entertainment or information: A description of a sequence of real or imagined events.
   • A report of an event or a news item: An account of recent events, especially one prepared for publication or broadcast.
   • A lie or fabrication: A trivial falsehood, often told to deceive or amuse.
   • The plot or main events of a novel, play, film, etc.: The sequence of connected events that form the narrative structure.
   • A level of a building: A floor or horizontal division in a structure's vertical scale. (Also spelled storey).

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • She wrote a captivating story about her travels. (A narrative.)
  • The evening news led with a story about the election. (A news report.)
  • He was caught telling a story about why he was late. (A lie.)
  • The film has a very complicated story. (The plot.)
  • My apartment is on the fifth story of the building. (A floor/level.)

Advanced Usage

• "The story goes that...": Used to introduce a piece of information or rumor that is commonly told.
  • The story goes that he made his fortune in a single day.
• "It's a long story": A phrase used to indicate that an explanation would be lengthy or complicated.
  • How did you two meet? — Oh, it's a long story.
• "To cut a long story short": A phrase used to summarize a lengthy narrative.
  • To cut a long story short, we missed the flight and had to take the train.

Variants and Related Words

• Storyteller (n): A person who tells stories.
  • He is a gifted storyteller who can hold an audience's attention for hours.
• Storyline (n): The plot or sequence of events in a story.
  • The novel has a compelling storyline.
• Storey (n): The British English spelling for a level of a building.
  • A three-storey house.

Synonyms

• Tale: A fictitious or true narrative or story, especially one that is imaginatively recounted.
• Account: A report or description of an event or experience.
• Narrative: A spoken or written account of connected events; a story.
• Report: An account given of a particular matter, especially in the form of official documentation.

Related Phrasal Verbs/Phrases

• "To make a long story short": To summarize; to give only the essential details.
  • He talked for an hour, but to make a long story short, the project was canceled.
• "The same old story": A familiar, often repeated, and usually unwelcome situation or excuse.
  • He was late again? That's the same old story.

Related Idioms

• "A likely story": An expression of disbelief or skepticism about an explanation.
  • You found the money on the street? A likely story!
• "The story of one's life": Used to comment that a frustrating or negative event is typical of one's experiences.
  • I worked hard and someone else got the credit. That's the story of my life.
• "End of story": Used to emphasize that there is nothing more to say or discuss on a matter.
  • You are not going out tonight. End of story.

Noun

1. a trivial lie
   • he told a fib about eating his spinach
   • how can I stop my child from telling stories?
2. a short account of the news
   • the report of his speech
   • the story was on the 11 o'clock news
   • the account of his speech that was given on the evening news made the governor furious
3. a record or narrative description of past events
   • a history of France
   • he gave an inaccurate account of the plot to kill the president
   • the story of exposure to lead
4. a structure consisting of a room or set of rooms at a single position along a vertical scale
   • what level is the office on?
5. a piece of fiction that narrates a chain of related events
   • he writes stories for the magazines
6. a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
   • his narrative was interesting
   • Disney's stories entertain adults as well as children