plot line

American  

noun

1. Usually plot lines. dialogue that advances the plot, as in a play or motion-picture script.

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Usage

What is a plot line? The plot line of a story is the direction that the plot takes or the plot itself—what the story is about, including the action and events that the story tells about. It is often spelled as one word, as plotline.A close synonym is story line. This sense of the word can also be used in the context of a real-life event to refer to one part of what’s happening, as in There’s a new plot line in the corporate scandal. Less commonly, the term plot line refers to a line of dialogue that advances a story’s plot in some way, such as by providing information about what has happened elsewhere. This sense of the word is often used in the plural form plot lines.Example: I thought the novel had a few unnecessary plot lines that didn’t go anywhere.

Etymology

Origin of plot line

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

If it sounds like these plot lines are from a movie — “Everything Everywhere All at Once” comes to mind — it’s true.

From Seattle Times

“It’s about 1,400 pages with 24 major characters and 30 plot lines.”

From New York Times

They’ve started off strong and tailed off as the season went on, leaning heavily into nostalgia as the basis for ambitious plot lines.

From New York Times

I like my Oscar controversies like I like my “Curb Your Enthusiasm” plot lines: small, petty and a little bit deranged.

From New York Times

The other characters have minor plot lines of their own, which might have profited from more attention but tend to get lost in the mix.

From Los Angeles Times