story
STAW-ree
Also spelled storey (UK spelling)
Story (noun) means an account, true or invented, of events told for information or entertainment. Example: “She told the children a bedtime story about a lost dragon.”
noun
1
An account, true or invented, of events told for information or entertainment.
"She told the children a bedtime story about a lost dragon."
"The journalist broke the story before anyone else."
"My grandfather loves to tell a story about his first job on a farm."
2
A short-lived post of photos or video shared on a social media app.
"He posted a story of the concert that disappeared after 24 hours."
"She added a story showing her lunch, and her friends replied within minutes."
"Did you see the story he shared from the beach this morning?"
How to use story
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA narrative told for its own sake — a tale, a news report, or a temporary social-media post.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
tell a story
post a story
break a story
cover story
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- stories
- Past tense
- storied
Fill the gap
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She told the children a bedtime _____ about a lost dragon.
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman estorie, from Latin historia ("account, narrative"), from Ancient Greek historíā, meaning "learning through inquiry". A doublet of history and storey.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for story
See all rhymes for story →Frequently asked questions
What does “story” mean?
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.
How do you pronounce “story”?
“Story” is pronounced STAW-ree (/ˈstɔ.ɹi/ in IPA).
How do you use “story” in a sentence?
Here is “story” used in a sentence: “She told the children a bedtime story about a lost dragon.”
What part of speech is “story”?
“Story” is a noun.
Where does the word “story” come from?
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.
Is “story” a common word?
“Story” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “story” have?
“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.
What is the difference between 'story' and 'storey'?
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.
What are the main elements of a story?
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.
What is the difference between a story and a plot?
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.
What are the different types of story?
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.
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