noun
plot
plot
noun
1
The sequence of events that make up a story, especially the way they are connected.
"The plot of the film revolves around a stolen painting."
"Critics said the plot was predictable but the acting saved it."
2
A small area of land used for a specific purpose, such as building or growing things.
"They bought a plot of land to build their retirement home."
3
A secret plan, usually to do something harmful or illegal.
"The police uncovered a plot to smuggle weapons into the country."
4
A graph or diagram showing data or a mathematical relationship.
"The plot showed sales rising steadily since March."
verb
1
To plan something secretly, usually something illegal or harmful.
"The rebels plotted to overthrow the government."
2
To mark points on a graph or map, or to draw a course.
"The navigator plotted their position on the chart."
"She plotted the temperature readings on a graph."
How to Use Plot
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDepending on context: a piece of land, a story's storyline, a secret scheme, or to mark data/plan a course.
Common pairings
plot of land
plot twist
plot against someone
plot a course
Word Forms
plotted past tense, plots plural, plots singular
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The _____ of the film revolves around a stolen painting.
Etymology
From Old English "plot", originally meaning a patch of ground; the sense of a secret scheme and the sense of a story's structure both developed later as figurative extensions.