plot hole

American  

[plaht hohl] / ˈplɑt ˌhoʊl /

noun

plural

plot holes

1. an error in a narrative often causing the narrative to make less sense or be unsatisfying: generally refers to a plot element which is unresolved, poorly explained, or which contradicts the rest of the narrative.

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Other Word Forms

• plot-holed adjective
• plot-holey adjective

Example Sentences

That Violet could conceivably do the same thing is the film’s biggest weakness, a plot hole that could swallow viewers who can’t suspend disbelief.

From Salon • Apr. 12, 2025

Notable moment: Here’s a slight plot hole: This film paints Bradley, Kat’s perfect man on paper, to be evil because he’s allergic to dogs.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 10, 2022

Written by composer Antônio Carlos Jobim and poet Vinicius de Moraes, it neatly filled a major plot hole: What might cause an extraterrestrial guest to linger in Brazil?

From Washington Post • Dec. 29, 2018

That Halliday is treated as a figure deserving of admiration and awe and not as the villain of this story remains its biggest plot hole.

From The Verge • Apr. 19, 2018

It leads to a small plot hole but it’s still neat to see deaf history depicted on stage.

From The Guardian • Oct. 29, 2015