A story is a description of imaginary people and events, which is written or told in order to entertain.
The second story in the book is titled 'The Scholar'.
I shall tell you a story about four little rabbits.
...a popular love story with a happy ending.
Synonyms: tale, romance, narrative, record More Synonyms of story
2. countable noun
A story is a description of an event or something that happened to someone, especially a spoken description of it.
The parents all shared interesting stories about their children.
Isak's story is typical of a child who has a specific learning disability.
Synonyms: anecdote, account, tale, report More Synonyms of story
3. countable noun
The storyof something is a description of all the important things that have happened to it since it began.
...the story of the women's movement in Ireland. [+ of]
4. countable noun
If someone invents a story, they give a false explanation or account of something.
He invented some story about a cousin.
Synonyms: lie, falsehood, fib, fiction More Synonyms of story
5. countable noun
A news story is a piece of news in a newspaper or in a news broadcast.
Those are some of the top stories in the news.
They'll do anything for a story.
...front-page news stories.
Synonyms: report, news, article, feature More Synonyms of story
6. storey, -storey
7. See also cock-and-bull story, short story, sob story, success story, tall story
8.
See but that's another story
9.
See to cut a long story short
10.
See a different story
11.
See the same old story/the old story
12.
See only part of the story/not the whole story
13.
See someone's side of the story
story in British English1
(ˈstɔːrɪ)
nounWord forms: plural-ries
1.
a narration of a chain of events told or written in prose or verse
2. Also called: short story
a piece of fiction, briefer and usually less detailed than a novel
3. Also called: story line
the plot of a book, film, etc
4.
an event that could be the subject of a narrative
5.
a report or statement on a matter or event
6.
the event or material for such a report
7. informal
a lie, fib, or untruth
8. cut a long story short
9. the same old story
10. the story goes
verbWord forms: -ries, -rying or -ried(transitive)
11.
to decorate (a pot, wall, etc) with scenes from history or legends
Word origin
C13: from Anglo-French estorie, from Latin historia; see history
story in British English2
(ˈstɔːrɪ)
nounWord forms: plural-ries
another spelling (esp US) of storey
Story in American English
(ˈstɔri)
Joseph1779-1845; U.S. jurist: associate justice, Supreme Court (1811-45)
story in American English1
(ˈstɔri)
nounWord forms: pluralˈstories
1.
the telling of a happening or connected series of happenings, whether true or fictitious; account; narration
2.
an anecdote or joke
3.
a.
a fictitious literary composition in prose or poetry, shorter than a novel; narrative; tale; specif., short story
b.
the form of literature represented by such compositions
4.
the plot of a novel, play, film, etc.
5.
a.
a report or rumor
b. Informal
a falsehood or fib
6.
romantic legend or history
7. US
a.
a news event or a report of it
b. Informal
the pertinent facts or circumstances relating to a particular person, situation, etc., esp. such facts not widely known or previously revealed
what's his story? what's the story on your firing?
8. Informal
the situation with regard to the subject being discussed; the aggregate of facts or circumstances involved
what's the story on the hostages?
verb transitiveWord forms: ˈstoried or ˈstorying
9. Archaic
to tell the story of
10.
to decorate with paintings, etc. representing scenes from history or legend
SYNONYMY NOTE: story1, the broadest in scope of these words, refers to a series of connected events, trueor fictitious, that is written or told with the intention of entertaining or informing;, narrative is a more formal word, referring to the kind of prose that recounts happenings; , tale, a somewhat elevated or literary term, usually suggests a simple, leisurely story,more or less loosely organized, especially a fictitious or legendary one; , anecdote applies to a short, entertaining account of a single incident, usually personal orbiographical
Word origin
ME storie < OFr estoire < L historia: see history
story in American English2
(ˈstɔri)
nounWord forms: pluralˈstories
1.
a section or horizontal division of a building, extending from the floor to the ceiling or roof lying directly above it; floor
a hotel ten stories high
2.
all the rooms on the same level of a building
3.
any horizontal section or division
Word origin
ME < ML historia, a picture (< L: see history): prob. from use of “storied” windows or friezes marking the outside of differentfloors
More idioms containing
story
a cock and bull story
to cut a long story short
COBUILD Collocations
story
familiar story
funny story
real story
touching story
Examples of 'story' in a sentence
story
Yet officials monitoring the sanctions told a different story.
Simon Ball THE GUARDSMEN (2004)
This is by now an old story.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Being less romantic and more realistic may turn your love life into a success story.
The Sun (2009)
There has been interest in both directions but whether it comes to anything is another story.
The Sun (2009)
The whole story might be a parable designed to give ministers the courage of social democratic convictions.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
They gave this account of their story.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
To cut a long story short this did not happen.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Writing a story is something like making up a joke.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
What effected the transformation is another story.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
You may remember the story in the news.
Christianity Today (2000)
This is the story of a true bohemian.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
There are signs that people see this as a different story.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
This is an old story with a new twist.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Pure export and import figures no longer tell the whole story.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The story was decided long before the story had ended.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
This is a story about table tennis.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Your love life will turn into a success story now that your mind and heart give you the same message.
The Sun (2009)
See the full story at timesonline.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Either way, the full story of this apparent scandal must come out.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
If the short story is well suited to disregarded minorities, it is also tuned to the disappointed mainstream.
The Times Literary Supplement (2011)
It ends poignantly but perfectly, like a well-crafted short story.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
In other languages
story
British English: story /ˈstɔːrɪ/ NOUN
A story is a description of imaginary people and events, which is written or told in order to entertain.
I shall tell you a story about four little rabbits.
American English: story
Arabic: قِصَّة
Brazilian Portuguese: história
Chinese: 故事
Croatian: priča
Czech: příběh
Danish: historie fortælling
Dutch: verhaal
European Spanish: relato
Finnish: tarina
French: histoire
German: Geschichte
Greek: ιστορία
Italian: storia
Japanese: 物語
Korean: 이야기
Norwegian: historie
Polish: historyjka
European Portuguese: história
Romanian: poveste
Russian: рассказ
Latin American Spanish: relato
Swedish: historia
Thai: เรื่องราว
Turkish: öykü
Ukrainian: історія
Vietnamese: câu chuyện
All related terms of 'story'
storey
A storey of a building is one of its different levels, which is situated above or below other levels.
sob story
You describe what someone tells you about their own or someone else's difficulties as a sob story when you think that they have told you about it in order to get your sympathy.
story arc
a continuing storyline in a television series that gradually unfolds over several episodes
war story
an account or anecdote concerning one's personal experiences, esp. in military combat , during a war
back story
background information provided, often in narrative form, to give help in understanding something, as the behavior of a character in a film
Bible story
a story from the Bible
cover story
a story that is alluded to or illustrated on the cover of a magazine
fairy story
A fairy story is the same as a → fairy tale .
fish story
a story which is not true
funny story
A story is a description of an event or something that happened to someone, especially a spoken description of it.
ghost story
A ghost story is a story about ghosts.
lead story
the principal story in a newspaper
life story
an account of all the events that happened to someone during their life
love story
A love story is something such as a novel or film about a love affair .
news story
a news report of any length, usually presented in a straightforward style and without editorial comment
photo story
See photo essay Also : photostory
real story
A story is a description of an event or something that happened to someone, especially a spoken description of it.
scare story
A scare story is something that is said or written to make people feel frightened and think that a situation is much more unpleasant or dangerous than it really is.
short story
A short story is a written story about imaginary events that is only a few pages long.
story idea
An idea is a plan, suggestion , or possible course of action.
story line
the plot of a book, film, play, etc
tall story
A tall story is the same as a → tall tale .
bedtime story
a story read or told to a child at bedtime
feature story
a feature article in a newspaper or magazine deals in depth with a topic or person
horror story
a story intended to frighten you
mystery story
a mystery story is a story in which strange things happen that are not explained until the end
running story
a story continued in subsequent issues of a newspaper or magazine ; serial
story writer
a writer of stories
success story
Someone or something that is a success story is very successful, often unexpectedly or in spite of unfavourable conditions.
detective story
a story in which a detective tries to solve a crime
familiar story
A story is a description of an event or something that happened to someone, especially a spoken description of it.
touching story
A story is a description of imaginary people and events, which is written or told in order to entertain .
the story goes
it is commonly said or believed
a different story
You use a different story to refer to a situation , usually a bad one, which exists in one set of circumstances when you have mentioned that it does not exist in another set of circumstances.
hard-luck story
a story of misfortune designed to elicit sympathy
second-story man
a burglar who enters a building through an upstairs window
shaggy dog story
a long rambling joke ending in a deliberate anticlimax , such as a pointless punch line
shaggy dog (story)
a long, rambling joke, typically involving ludicrously unreal or irrational behavior and usually having an irrelevant conclusion
short short story
a short story that is brief and usually has a surprise ending
short story writer
a person who writes short stories
folktale
a tale or legend originating among a people and typically becoming part of an oral tradition
human interest story
a story in a newspaper , news broadcast , etc, that refers to individuals and their emotions
the same old story
the familiar or regular course of events
storyline
The storyline of a book, film, or play is its story and the way in which it develops.
boy-meets-girl story
a film, book , etc whose plot is conventionally or trivially romantic
cock-and-bull story
If you describe something that someone tells you as a cock-and-bull story , you mean that you do not believe it is true .
storyteller
A storyteller is someone who tells or writes stories.
storytelling
Storytelling is the activity of telling or writing stories .
a cock and bull story
a story that you do not believe
but that's another story
You say ' but that's another story ' when you have mentioned a subject that you are not going to talk about or explain in detail .
Chinese translation of 'story'
story
(ˈstɔːrɪ)
n(c)
(= account) 描述 (miáoshù) (种(種), zhǒng)
⇒ I told her the story of my life.我向她描述了我的生活。 (Wǒ xiàng tā miáoshùle wǒ de shēnghuó.)
⇒ the story of the women's movement in Ireland对于爱尔兰妇女运动的描述 (duìyú Ài'ěrlán fùnǚ yùndòng de miáoshù)
(= tale) 故事 (gùshi) (个(個), gè)
⇒ a ghost story一个鬼故事 (yī gè guǐgùshi)
(in newspaper, on news broadcast) 报(報)道 (bàodào) (条(條), tiáo)
⇒ Those are some of the top stories in the news.那些是新闻中最重要的报道。 (Nàxiē shì xīnwén zhōng zuì zhòngyào de bàodào.)
(= lie) 谎(謊)话(話) (huǎnghuà)
⇒ He invented some story about a friend.他编造了个有关一个朋友的谎话。 (Tā biānzàole gè yǒuguān yī gè péngyou de huǎnghuà.)
(US)[of building]=storey
it's a different story那是另一回事 (nà shì lìng yī huí shì)
the (same) old story老一套 (lǎo yī tào)
that's only part of or not the whole story那不是事实(實)的全部 (nà bùshì shìshí de quánbù)
my side of the story我的叙(敘)述 (wǒ de xùshù)
storey
or (US) story
(ˈstɔːrɪ)
n(c)
层(層) (céng)
All related terms of 'story'
storey
层(層) céng
short story
短篇小说(說) duǎnpiān xiǎoshuō [ 则 zé ]
detective story
侦(偵)探小说(說) zhēntàn xiǎoshuō [ 部 bù ]
a bedtime story
睡前讲(講)的故事 shuìqián jiǎng de gùshi
as the story goes
如故事中所讲(講)的 rú gùshì zhōng suǒ jiǎng de
it's a different story
那是另一回事 nà shì lìng yī huí shì
my side of the story
我的叙(敘)述 wǒ de xùshù
a rags-to-riches story
从(從)赤贫(貧)到暴富的故事 cóng chìpín dào bàofù de gùshi
the story contains an element of truth
这(這)个(個)故事有真实(實)的成分 zhège gùshi yǒu zhēnshí de chéngfèn
that's only part of or not the whole story
那不是事实(實)的全部 nà bùshì shìshí de quánbù
the (same) old story
老一套 lǎo yī tào
1 (noun)
Definition
a piece of fiction, shorter and usually less detailed than a novel
a popular love story with a happy ending
Synonyms
tale
romance
Her taste in fiction was for historical romances.
narrative
He began his narrative with the day of the murder.
record
history
his magnificent history of broadcasting in Canada
version
She went public with her version of events.
novel
He had all but finished writing a first novel.
legend
the legends of ancient Greece
chronicle
this vast chronicle of Napoleonic times
yarn (informal)
Doug has a yarn or two to tell me about his trips into the bush.
recital
She gave a thrilling recital of her adventures in the Andes.
narration
urban myth
urban legend
fictional account
2 (noun)
Definition
a description of a chain of events told or written in prose or verse
The parents all shared interesting stories about their children.
Synonyms
anecdote
He has a talent for recollection and anecdote.
account
I gave a detailed account of what had happened that night.
tale
a collection of poems and folk tales
report
a full report of what happened here tonight
detail
relation
testimony
3 (noun)
Definition
a lie
(informal)
He invented some story about a cousin.
Synonyms
lie
I've had enough of your lies.
falsehood
He accused them of knowingly spreading falsehoods about him.
fib
She told innocent fibs.
fiction
Total recycling is a fiction.
untruth
The Authority accused estate agents of using blatant untruths.
porky (British, slang)
pork pie (British, slang)
white lie
4 (noun)
Definition
a news report
Those are some of the top stories in the news.
Synonyms
report
Press reports vary dramatically.
news
They still haven't had any news about the survivors.
article
a newspaper article
feature
a special feature on breast cancer research
scoop
news item
Additional synonyms
in the sense of account
Definition
a report or description
I gave a detailed account of what had happened that night.
Synonyms
description,
report,
record,
story,
history,
detail,
statement,
relation,
version,
tale,
explanation,
narrative,
chronicle,
portrayal,
recital,
depiction,
narration
in the sense of article
Definition
a written composition in a magazine or newspaper
a newspaper article
Synonyms
feature,
story,
paper,
piece,
item,
creation,
essay,
composition,
discourse,
treatise
in the sense of chronicle
Definition
a record of events in chronological order
this vast chronicle of Napoleonic times
Synonyms
record,
story,
history,
account,
register,
journal,
diary,
narrative,
annals,
log,
blog
Synonyms of 'story'
story
Explore 'story' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of falsehood
Definition
a lie
He accused them of knowingly spreading falsehoods about him.
Synonyms
lie,
story (informal),
fiction,
fabrication,
fib,
untruth,
porky (British, slang),
pork pie (British, slang),
misstatement
in the sense of feature
Definition
a prominent story in a newspaper
a special feature on breast cancer research
Synonyms
article,
report,
story,
piece,
comment,
item,
column
in the sense of fib
Definition
a trivial and harmless lie
She told innocent fibs.
Synonyms
lie,
story (informal),
fiction,
untruth,
whopper (informal),
porky (British, slang),
pork pie (British, slang),
white lie,
prevarication
in the sense of fiction
Definition
an invented story or explanation
Total recycling is a fiction.
Synonyms
lie,
fancy,
fantasy,
invention,
improvisation,
fabrication,
concoction,
falsehood,
untruth,
porky (British, slang),
pork pie (British, slang),
urban myth,
tall story,
urban legend,
cock and bull story (informal),
figment of the imagination
in the sense of history
Definition
a record or account of past events and developments
his magnificent history of broadcasting in Canada
Synonyms
chronicle,
record,
story,
account,
relation,
narrative,
saga,
recital,
narration,
annals,
recapitulation
in the sense of legend
Definition
a popular story handed down from earlier times which may or may not be true
the legends of ancient Greece
Synonyms
myth,
story,
tale,
fiction,
narrative,
saga,
fable,
folk tale,
urban myth,
urban legend,
folk story
in the sense of narrative
Definition
an account of events
He began his narrative with the day of the murder.
Synonyms
story,
report,
history,
detail,
account,
statement,
tale,
chronicle,
recital
in the sense of news
Definition
information about such events, reported in the mass media
They still haven't had any news about the survivors.
Synonyms
information,
latest (informal),
report,
word,
story,
release,
account,
statement,
advice,
exposé,
intelligence,
scandal,
rumour,
leak,
revelation,
buzz,
gossip,
dirt (slang),
goss (informal),
disclosure,
bulletin,
dispatch,
gen (British, informal),
communiqué,
hearsay,
tidings,
news flash,
scuttlebutt (US, slang)
in the sense of novel
Definition
a long fictional story in book form
He had all but finished writing a first novel.
Synonyms
story,
tale,
fiction,
romance,
narrative
in the sense of recital
Definition
a narration or description
She gave a thrilling recital of her adventures in the Andes.
Synonyms
account,
telling,
story,
detailing,
statement,
relation,
tale,
description,
narrative,
narration,
enumeration,
recapitulation
Additional synonyms
in the sense of relation
Definition
an account or narrative
Synonyms
account,
report,
story,
tale,
description,
narrative,
recital,
narration,
recountal
in the sense of romance
Definition
a story or film dealing with love, usually in an idealized way
Her taste in fiction was for historical romances.
Synonyms
story,
novel,
tale,
fantasy,
legend,
fiction,
fairy tale,
love story,
melodrama,
idyll,
tear-jerker (informal)
in the sense of untruth
Definition
a statement that is not true
The Authority accused estate agents of using blatant untruths.
Synonyms
lie,
fabrication,
falsehood,
fib,
story (informal),
tale,
fiction,
deceit,
whopper (informal),
porky (British, slang),
pork pie (British, slang),
falsification,
prevarication
in the sense of version
Definition
an account of something from a certain point of view
She went public with her version of events.
Synonyms
account,
report,
side,
description,
record,
reading,
story,
view,
understanding,
history,
statement,
analysis,
take (informal, US),
construction,
tale,
impression,
explanation,
interpretation,
rendering,
narrative,
chronicle,
rendition,
narration,
construal
in the sense of yarn
Definition
a long involved story
Doug has a yarn or two to tell me about his trips into the bush.