plotline

IPA/ˈplɒtˌlaɪn/
IPA/ˈplɑːtˌlaɪn/

plotline — noun

  • plotlinesingular
  • plotlinesplural

1. the line of events that carries a story forward, especially in a book, film, tel

1.nounB2
Definition

the line of events that carries a story forward, especially in a book, film, television series, or game

Example

Nikhil said the plotline became stronger once the missing sister returned home.

plotline becomes stronger after a key return

By episode four, the plotline about the hospital fire finally made sense.

pattern: the plotline about [event]

Common collocations
  • main plotline
  • romantic plotline
  • follow the plotline
  • change the plotline
  • secondary plotline
Synonyms
  • storyline

    is very close, but it can more easily refer to the main story as a whole

  • plot

    is broader and often means the complete structure of events in the work

  • narrative thread

    is more literary and stresses one connected strand inside a longer work

Grammar Patterns

a plotline about something

follow the plotline

main plotline

Usage Note

Often used for one strand inside a larger story, especially when several characters or themes develop at once. If you mean the whole event structure of the work, plot is often the broader word.

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Plotline and storyline are very close, and both can refer to the events that run through a story. Plot is broader: it often means the whole event structure of the work, while plotline can focus on one line of action inside it. Subplot is narrower because it means a secondary line linked to the main one. In a film with several characters, you might talk about a political plotline, a romantic subplot, and the overall plot.

plotline ↗storyline ↗plot ↗subplot

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • follow the plotline
  • main plotline
  • romantic plotline
  • secondary plotline

Etymology

English

Plotline is a modern English compound formed from plot and line. It developed to name one line of events inside a story, especially when a book, film, or series contains several strands that run alongside each other.

First known use

1952

1952, in the meaning defined above