story

[ stawr-ee, stohr-ee ]

/ ˈstɔr i, ˈstoʊr i /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR story ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural sto·ries.

a narrative, either true or fictitious, in prose or verse, designed to interest, amuse, or instruct the hearer or reader; tale.

a fictitious tale, shorter and less elaborate than a novel.

such narratives or tales as a branch of literature: song and story.

the plot or succession of incidents of a novel, poem, drama, etc.: The characterizations were good, but the story was weak.

a narration of an incident or a series of events or an example of these that is or may be narrated, as an anecdote, joke, etc.

a narration of the events in the life of a person or the existence of a thing, or such events as a subject for narration: the story of medicine; the story of his life.

a report or account of a matter; statement or allegation: The story goes that he rejected the offer.

news story.

a lie or fabrication: What he said about himself turned out to be a story.

Obsolete. history.

verb (used with object), sto·ried, sto·ry·ing.

to ornament with pictured scenes, as from history or legend.

Obsolete. to tell the history or story of.

Nearby words

stormy, stormy petrel, stornoway, storrs, storting, story, story arc, story line, story of my life, the, story, joseph, storyboard

Origin of story

1175–1225; Middle English storie < Anglo-French estorie < Latin historia history

SYNONYMS FOR story

1 legend, fable, romance; anecdote, record, history, chronicle.

5 recital.

7 description.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR story ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formssto·ry·less, adjective

Definition for stories (2 of 2)

story

[ stawr-ee, stohr-ee ]

/ ˈstɔr i, ˈstoʊr i /

noun, plural sto·ries.

a complete horizontal section of a building, having one continuous or practically continuous floor.

the set of rooms on the same floor or level of a building.

any major horizontal architectural division, as of a façade or the wall of a nave.

a layer.

Also especially British, sto·rey.

Origin of story

1350–1400; Middle English storie < Anglo-Latin historia picture decorating a building, a part of the building so decorated, hence floor, story < Latin historia history

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for stories

“I think the types of stories we do are very similar to what happened with hip-hop,” says Jones.
‘Black Dynamite’ Presents Police Brutality: The Musical|Stereo Williams|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Petty, shade, and thirst are my favorite human “virtues” and the trifecta of any good series of “stories.”
‘Empire’ Review: Hip-Hop Musical Chairs with an Insane Soap Opera Twist|Judnick Mayard|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
All of my stories are about people trying hard not to grow up.
Here’s the Lost Judd Apatow ‘Simpsons’ Episode, Penned by Judd Apatow|Asawin Suebsaeng|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Throughout all the stories of loss and pain with the Chief, there was barely a trace of emotion.
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile|Robert Ward|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST

And there are other stories DuVernay could have told and still met her (relatively) modest budget of $20 million.
Dr. King Goes to Hollywood: The Flawed History of ‘Selma’|Gary May|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
George Sand did not employ a versified form for her stories, but she belonged to the family of these poets.
George Sand, Some Aspects of Her Life and Writings|Rene Doumic
They re-told her stories one by one to the children at home, too young for school.
Virginia of Elk Creek Valley|Mary Ellen Chase
"Yes, these stories always end in the same way, baron," said he.
Baron Trigault's Vengeance|Emile Gaboriau
Dick listened to these stories, and wished that he could go to London.
Fifty Famous Stories Retold|James Baldwin
Many a faithful reader of the Bible finds constantly renewed interest in the old Biblical stories in spite of frequent repetition.
The Thirteenth|James J. Walsh

British Dictionary definitions for stories (1 of 2)

story

/ (ˈstɔːrɪ) /

noun plural -ries

a narration of a chain of events told or written in prose or verse

Also called: short story a piece of fiction, briefer and usually less detailed than a novel

Also called: story line the plot of a book, film, etc

an event that could be the subject of a narrative

a report or statement on a matter or event

the event or material for such a report

informal a lie, fib, or untruth

cut a long story short or make a long story short to leave out details in a narration

the same old story informal the familiar or regular course of events

the story goes it is commonly said or believed

verb -ries, -rying or -ried (tr)

to decorate (a pot, wall, etc) with scenes from history or legends

Word Origin for story

C13: from Anglo-French estorie, from Latin historia; see history

British Dictionary definitions for stories (2 of 2)

story

/ (ˈstɔːrɪ) /

noun plural -ries

another spelling (esp US) of storey

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for stories (1 of 2)

story

n.1

"account of some happening," early 13c., "narrative of important events or celebrated persons of the past," from Old French estorie, from Late Latin storia and Latin historia "history, account, tale, story" (see history). Meaning "recital of true events" first recorded late 14c.; sense of "narrative of fictitious events meant to entertain" is from c.1500. Not differentiated from history till 1500s. As a euphemism for "a lie" it dates from 1690s. Meaning "newspaper article" is from 1892. Story-teller is from 1709. Story-line first attested 1941. That's another story "that requires different treatment" is attested from 1818. Story of my life "sad truth" first recorded 1938.

Word Origin and History for stories (1 of 2)

story

n.2

"floor of a building," c.1400, from Anglo-Latin historia "floor of a building" (c.1200), also "picture," from Latin historia (see history). Perhaps so called because the fronts of buildings in the Middle Ages often were decorated with rows of painted windows.

Idioms and Phrases with stories

story

In addition to the idiom beginning with story

story of my life, the

also see:

cock and bull story
cover story
fish story
hard-luck story
make a long story short
old story
same old story
shaggy dog story
sob story
upper story

story

noun, plural sto·ries.

verb (used with object), sto·ried, sto·ry·ing.

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Nearby words

Origin of story

Definition for stories (2 of 2)

story

noun, plural sto·ries.

Origin of story

Examples from the Web for stories

British Dictionary definitions for stories (1 of 2)

story

noun plural -ries

verb -ries, -rying or -ried (tr)

Word Origin for story

British Dictionary definitions for stories (2 of 2)

story

noun plural -ries

Word Origin and History for stories (1 of 2)

story

Word Origin and History for stories (1 of 2)

story

Idioms and Phrases with stories

story