storied

IPA/ˈstɔːrid/
KK[stˈɔrid]IPA/ˈstɔːrid/

storied — adjective

  • storiedpositive
  • more storiedcomparative
  • most storiedsuperlative

1. If a person, place, or institution is storied, they are well known because of ev

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

If a person, place, or institution is storied, they are well known because of events in their past that people often remember, discuss, or write about.

Example

The storied university has produced many famous scientists over the past two centuries.

attributive use before a noun

Camille's grandmother told her stories about the storied theatre where she once danced.

Common collocations
  • storied past
  • storied history
  • storied tradition
  • storied institution
  • storied career
Synonyms
  • legendary

    Stronger than storied; suggests myth-like fame or heroic achievement.

  • celebrated

    Focuses on public recognition rather than historical depth; used for both people and events.

  • illustrious

    Very formal; implies outstanding success, dignity, and respect.

Antonyms
  • obscure

    Not known or famous.

  • unknown

    Simple opposite; lacking any fame or recognition.

Grammar Patterns

storied + noun

Usage Note

Almost always used before a noun (attributive position) rather than after 'be'. Common in formal writing, literature, and journalism; less frequent in everyday conversation.

Common Mistakes

That cafe is very storied.
That cafe has a storied history.
'Storied' is normally placed directly before a noun, not used alone after 'be'.

2. When a number or a word like 'multi-' comes before 'storied', the compound tells

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

When a number or a word like 'multi-' comes before 'storied', the compound tells you how many floors a building has — a five-storied apartment block, for example, has five levels.

Example

The family lives in a two-storied house with a garden at the back.

number + storied shows floor count

Eli bought an apartment in a new ten-storied building near the river.

Common collocations
  • two-storied
  • three-storied
  • multi-storied
  • single-storied
  • double-storied
Synonyms
  • -floor

    Used interchangeably: 'a ten-floor building' means the same as 'a ten-storied building'.

  • -level

    Slightly less common for floor count, more general.

Grammar Patterns

number + storied + building noun

multi-storied

Usage Note

Cannot be used alone to mean 'having floors' — you must include a number or prefix (e.g. 'two-storied', 'multi-storied', 'single-storied'). The British spelling 'storeyed' is also common.

Common Mistakes

We live in a storied apartment.
We live in a five-storied apartment.
'Storied' needs a number (or 'multi-', 'single-') before it to describe the floor count.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All three words describe someone or something widely known, but they differ in nuance. 'Storied' emphasises a long, interesting history that people talk or write about — it carries a sense of depth over time rather than immediate fame. 'Legendary' is stronger and more dramatic; it suggests almost mythical status (e.g. 'a legendary rock band'), whereas 'storied' feels quieter and more literary ('a storied university'). 'Celebrated' focuses on public acclaim and honour ('a celebrated author'), without necessarily implying historical depth. Use 'storied' when the point is a rich past, 'legendary' for near-mythic fame, and 'celebrated' for current recognition and praise.

storied ↗legendary ↗celebrated ↗

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

The word 'storied' developed from two different roots that share the same spelling. The first sense (about a celebrated past) comes from the noun 'story', meaning a tale or account of events — tracing back through Old French 'estorie' to Latin 'historia' (history). The second sense (about building floors) comes from 'storey', a word used in medieval construction. Over time, both spellings merged into 'storied', creating one word with two distinct meanings.

First known use

14th century

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Adjective (2)