story

[ stawr-ee, stohr-ee ]

/ ˈstɔr i, ˈstoʊr i /

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.

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 SYNONYMS FOR story ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM story

sto·ry·less, adjective

Words nearby story

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

Definition for story (2 of 3)

story ²

[ 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

Definition for story (3 of 3)

Story

[ stawr-ee, stohr-ee ]

/ ˈstɔr i, ˈstoʊr i /

noun

Joseph,1779–1845, U.S. jurist.

William Wet·more

[wet-mawr, -mohr] /ˈwɛtˌmɔr, -ˌmoʊr/,1819–95, U.S. sculptor and poet.

Example sentences from the Web for story

The story of fluoridation reads like a postmodern fable, and the moral is clear: a scientific discovery might seem like a boon.

Anti-Fluoriders Are The OG Anti-Vaxxers |Michael Schulson |July 27, 2016 |DAILY BEAST
In its attempt to discredit the story, the JPO inadvertently confirmed that fact.

Pentagon Misfires in Stealth Jet Scandal |Dave Majumdar |January 8, 2015 |DAILY BEAST
And extortion makes a lot more sense before a story hits the news wire, not after.

Phylicia Rashad and the Cult of Cosby Truthers |Stereo Williams |January 8, 2015 |DAILY BEAST
They were going to tell their story, consequences be damned.

I Tried to Warn You About Sleazy Billionaire Jeffrey Epstein in 2003 |Vicky Ward |January 7, 2015 |DAILY BEAST

The juxtaposition planted a story of association on websites that touted both men for their talks.

The Price of Steve Scalise’s Silence |Jason Berry |January 7, 2015 |DAILY BEAST
For Ignacio knew that the Spanish officer was glad enough to believe the story the spy told him.

A Prisoner of Morro |Upton Sinclair
The story is simple enough, but Miss Doudney handles it well.

The Old Masters and Their Pictures |Sarah Tytler
I see I shall have to explain this, although I had hoped to get right along with my story.

Houlihan's Equation |Walt Sheldon
In a sweet and sonorous voice she made her speech, and told her story.

The Art of Disappearing |John Talbot Smith
Differences is vitally interesting, both as a story and as a moral lesson….

By-Ways of War |James Jeffrey Roche

British Dictionary definitions for story (1 of 2)

story ¹

/ (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 story (2 of 2)

story ²

/ (ˈstɔːrɪ) /

noun plural -ries

another spelling (esp US) of storey

Idioms and Phrases with story

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

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

story

noun, plural sto·ries.

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

Origin of story

SYNONYMS FOR story

OTHER WORDS FROM story

Words nearby story

Definition for story (2 of 3)

noun, plural sto·ries.

Origin of story

Definition for story (3 of 3)

noun

Example sentences from the Web for story

British Dictionary definitions for story (1 of 2)

noun plural -ries

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

Word Origin for story

British Dictionary definitions for story (2 of 2)

noun plural -ries

Idioms and Phrases with story

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

story

noun, plural sto·ries.

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

Origin of story

SYNONYMS FOR story

OTHER WORDS FROM story

Words nearby story

Definition for story (2 of 3)

noun, plural sto·ries.

Origin of story

Definition for story (3 of 3)

noun

Words related to story

Example sentences from the Web for story

British Dictionary definitions for story (1 of 2)

noun plural -ries

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

Word Origin for story

British Dictionary definitions for story (2 of 2)

noun plural -ries

Idioms and Phrases with story