story
noun
a narrative, either true or fictitious, in prose or verse, designed to interest, amuse, or instruct the hearer or reader; tale.
story
1 American
[stawr-ee, stohr-ee]
/ ˈstɔr i, ˈstoʊr i /
noun
-
stories
plural
-
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.
- Synonyms:
- recital
-
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.
- Synonyms:
- description
-
a lie or fabrication.
What he said about himself turned out to be a story.
-
Obsolete. history.
verb (used with object)
storied,
storying
-
to ornament with pictured scenes, as from history or legend.
-
Obsolete. to tell the history or story of.
story
2
American
[stawr-ee, stohr-ee]
/ ˈstɔr i, ˈstoʊr i /
especially British,
storey
noun
-
stories
plural
-
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.
Story
3
American
[stawr-ee, stohr-ee]
/ ˈstɔr i, ˈstoʊr i /
noun
-
Joseph, 1779–1845, U.S. jurist.
-
William Wetmore 1819–95, U.S. sculptor and poet.
story
1
British
/ ˈstɔːrɪ /
noun
-
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
-
to leave out details in a narration
-
informal the familiar or regular course of events
-
it is commonly said or believed
verb
story
2
British
/ ˈstɔːrɪ /
noun
story
Idioms
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of story1
First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English stori(e), store, “(written or oral) narrative; history,” from Anglo-French (e)storie ( Old French estoire), from Latin historia history
Origin of story2
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English stori(e), from Anglo-Latin (hi)storia architecture term for a picture decorating a building, a part of the building so decorated, hence floor, story, from Latin historia history
Explanation
If your little brother begs you to tell him a story, he wants to hear a short, entertaining tale. A narrative about people and events, usually including an interesting plot, is a story. A story can be fictional or true, and it can be written, read aloud, or made up on the spot. Journalists write stories for newspapers, and gossips spread stories that may or may not be true. A story can be historical; the root of story, the Latin word historia, means both "history" and "story."
Vocabulary lists containing story
Structural Engineering
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Foundational Reading
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Creative Writing - Introductory
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Many believe his failure to revive the party is central to the story of the Gandhi family's decline.
From BBC ● Aug. 31, 2026
A story of friendship and power in ancient Rome, a novel of country-club secrets, a summer-camp coming-of-age tale and more.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 31, 2026
That’s a heady story to start the week, I know.
From Slate ● Aug. 31, 2026
“I did everything I could to be back on the court, but just ran out of time,” the Phoenix Mercury guard said in a statement posted to her Instagram story on Monday.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 31, 2026
He sounded bored of repeating the story we’d all had drummed into us, and I felt guilty and apologetic.
From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler
Still, Story is greeting the new rules as "good controls".
From BBC ● Aug. 28, 2026
“No one wants to play with me anymore!” he joked, seemingly referencing Toy Story.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 24, 2026
To quote Legs McNeil in “End of the Century: The Story of the Ramones”: “Those songs are classic American pop songs. Why weren’t they played on the radio?”
From Salon ● Aug. 10, 2026
Mr. Kaufman is a member of the Journal’s editorial board and a co-author of “In the War Room: The Inside Story of Israel’s Fight Against Hamas and the Iranian Axis,” forthcoming Sept. 8.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026
“But we’re not talking about taking refuge. We’re liberating the one thing in the world that gives us a fighting chance. The power in that Story Box...”
From "Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky" by Kwame Mbalia
“The Song of Stork and Dromedary” draws on the lives of Charlotte and Emily Brontë, but expands outward in a profusion of linked stories that leap over eras and continents.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 31, 2026
Some origin stories present trauma as an inciting moment that changes everything.
From Salon ● Aug. 31, 2026
That characterisation is likely to be tested again when more stories inevitably appear about the victims of prisoners who will still be released early.
From BBC ● Aug. 30, 2026
"I have really good family friends that were first responders in the 9/11 attacks, and you hear stories about it," he told AFP.
From Barron's ● Aug. 30, 2026
Daisy sighed and said, “Jay Berry, I just don’t know about you. I learn things by reading. If you would read something besides those old hunting and fishing stories, you might learn something, too.”
From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls
Syracuse University has a $2.5 billion endowment, a storied 150-year tradition and a name recognized across the country.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 30, 2026
Clearlake Capital is the majority owner of Chelsea, the storied soccer club.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 25, 2026
On Saturday in Tampa, Florida, Cyborg will defend her PFL featherweight title against fellow Brazilian Ketlen Vieira in what could be the final bout of her storied career.
From BBC ● Aug. 21, 2026
Many of the city's old storied haunts are closed.
From Barron's ● Aug. 18, 2026
William Harvey was an "American James Bond," in the words of Edward Lansdale—himself one of the most storied CIA operatives of the Cold War.
From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau
I mean this book doesn't do a lot of war storying.
From The New Yorker ● Oct. 17, 2018
Behold now! of my godhead I will make Thy senses burn with vision, storying The spirit of woman growing from loved to love.
From Emblems Of Love by Lascelles Abercrombie
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
