plot
Plot (noun) means the sequence of events that make up a story, especially the way they are connected. Example: “The plot of the film revolves around a stolen painting.”
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.
Word forms
plotted past tense, plots plural, plots singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
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.
Related words
Rhymes for plot
See all rhymes for plot →Frequently asked questions
What does “plot” mean?
The word “plot” means the sequence of events that make up a story, especially the way they are connected. In plain terms, depending on context: a piece of land, a story's storyline, a secret scheme, or to mark data/plan a course.
How do you pronounce “plot”?
“Plot” is pronounced plot (/plɑt/ in IPA).
How do you use “plot” in a sentence?
Here is “plot” used in a sentence: “The plot of the film revolves around a stolen painting.”
What is another word for “plot”?
Words with a similar meaning to “plot” include lot.
What part of speech is “plot”?
Depending on how it is used, “plot” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “plot” come from?
The word “plot” comes from Old English. 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.
Is “plot” a common word?
“Plot” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “plot” have?
“Plot” has 6 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the sequence of events that make up a story, especially the way they are connected.
What is the difference between plot and story?
A story is everything that happens, the full set of events in the order they occur. A plot is how those events are arranged and connected, especially by cause and effect. 'The king died and then the queen died' is a story; 'the king died and then the queen died of grief' is a plot.
What are the parts of a plot?
A classic plot has five stages. Exposition introduces the characters and setting. Rising action builds tension through conflict. The climax is the turning point of greatest intensity. Falling action shows the consequences, and the resolution, or denouement, ties up loose ends and brings the story to a close.
What is the difference between plot and theme?
The plot is what happens: the connected sequence of events in a story. The theme is what it means: the central idea or message underneath, such as love, justice, or ambition. Two stories can share a theme like revenge while having completely different plots, and one plot can carry several themes.
What is an example of a plot?
In 'Cinderella,' the plot runs like this: a mistreated girl is barred from a royal ball, a fairy godmother sends her there in disguise, she flees at midnight leaving a slipper, and the prince uses it to find and marry her. Each event leads causally to the next.
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