plot
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.”
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."
"I enjoyed the book, but the plot got confusing near the end."
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."
"She grows potatoes and beans on a small plot behind the house."
"The council sold the empty plot next to the school."
3
A secret plan, usually to do something harmful or illegal.
"The police uncovered a plot to smuggle weapons into the country."
"Detectives say the plot was discovered before anyone could get hurt."
"In the story, the king's advisers hatch a plot against him."
4
A graph or diagram showing data or a mathematical relationship.
"The plot showed sales rising steadily since March."
"The scatter plot makes it easy to see the link between the two."
"Add a plot of the results to your lab report."
verb
1
To plan something secretly, usually something illegal or harmful.
"The rebels plotted to overthrow the government."
"The villains plotted in whispers while the guards slept nearby."
"They were plotting to cheat in the exam but were caught."
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."
"Use a ruler to plot each point carefully on the grid."
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
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like plot.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- plots
- Third person singular
- plots
- Past tense
- plotted
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.
Synonyms
View more →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.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include plot:
