story

The word “story” means an account, true or invented, of events told for information or entertainment. In plain terms, a narrative told for its own sake — a tale, a news report, or a temporary social-media post.

“Story” is pronounced STAW-ree (/ˈstɔ.ɹi/ in IPA).

Here is “story” used in a sentence: “She told the children a bedtime story about a lost dragon.”

“Story” is a noun.

The word “story” comes from Ancient Greek. From Anglo-Norman estorie, from Latin historia ("account, narrative"), from Ancient Greek historíā, meaning "learning through inquiry". A doublet of history and storey.

“Story” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.

“Story” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an account, true or invented, of events told for information or entertainment.

A 'story' is a narrative, an account of events, true or invented. A 'storey' (British spelling) is a floor or level of a building, as in 'a ten-storey tower.' American English uses 'story' for both meanings. To keep them apart, remember that a tale is a story, while a building has storeys.

Most stories share a few core elements: characters who take part, a setting where events unfold, a plot or sequence of events, a conflict or problem driving the action, and a resolution that ends it. Many also carry a theme, the deeper idea or message the story explores.

A story is the full account of what happens, including all the events and characters. A plot is the arrangement of those events and how they cause one another. In short, the story is what happens, while the plot is how and why it is organised and told.

Stories fall into many types. By truth, they split into fiction and non-fiction. By length, into short stories, novellas, and novels. By genre, into mystery, romance, fantasy, and more. Stories also appear as news stories, folk tales, and anecdotes, any account told to inform or entertain.