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

This developing plot line, however, stays in the background as customers turn up demanding to look like Beyoncé or requesting micro braids, a labor-intensive torture for overworked hands.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 7, 2025

A Peaky Blinders film will be released soon by Netflix, although Murphy said the plot line is still under lock and key.

From BBC • Sep. 19, 2025

Elijah and Nakita’s will-they-won’t-they love story is an elemental plot line that becomes intrinsically connected with the murder case.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 5, 2024

I think it’s just where we are in the plot line.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2023

The plot line itself, to finish up, is largely the result of a rather unholy collaborative effort.

From "Franny and Zooey" by J. D. Salinger