subplot

[ suhb-plot ]

noun

1. a secondary or subordinate plot, as in a play, novel, or other literary work; underplot. Compare counterplot ( def 2 ).

subplot

/ ˈsʌbˌplɒt /

noun

1. a subordinate or auxiliary plot in a novel, play, film, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of subplot¹

First recorded in 1915–20; sub- + plot

Example Sentences

Rather, he embeds us in the warm, casual messiness of the couple’s domestic life, underlined most amusingly by a seemingly superfluous subplot involving Ono researching how to obtain live flies for her latest art installation.

From Los Angeles Times

A brief subplot is wholly dedicated to the latter, in fact, as a matter of waking up Matt to the folly of his faith in systems.

From Salon

In 2024, Swift offered a tremendous subplot to the Super Bowl, jetting in from the Tokyo leg of her record-breaking Eras tour to witness Kelce haul in nine catches for 93 yards in their victory.

From BBC

Ally and Jay’s rom-com caricature is the cleverest subplot in the movie — the pair are heightened Hallmark Channel ingenues who like fiddly coffee orders, coordinated plaids and the same shade of taupe.

From Los Angeles Times

“Shrinking,” through Goldstein and Louis’ subplot, makes it simple to grant him our sympathy and benediction while admitting that in real life, it would not be so easy.

From Salon