plot line

noun

1. Usually plot lines. dialogue that advances the plot, as in a play or motion-picture script.

Word History and Origins

Origin of plot line¹

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

The show’s slow-moving plot lines meant each disease unfolded over years - as they do in real life.

From BBC

Interweaving plot lines that come together satisfyingly after 9 or 10 episodes?

From Salon

"It's hard to believe that just 25 years ago, the writers actually had to use their imaginations to create interesting plot lines for the West Wing," joked Allison Janney.

From BBC

On the flip side, McIver says Ambudkar knows how to “add color” and “fill in the details” of scenes without taking away from the ghosts’ plot lines.

From Los Angeles Times

This is not your run-of-the-mill plot line from “Madam Secretary” or “The West Wing.”

From Seattle Times

More About Plot Line

What is a plot line?

The plot line of a story is the direction that the plot takes or the plot itself—what the story is about, including the action and events that the story tells about. It is often spelled as one word, as plotline.

A close synonym is story line. This sense of the word can also be used in the context of a real-life event to refer to one part of what’s happening, as in There’s a new plot line in the corporate scandal. 

Less commonly, the term plot line refers to a line of dialogue that advances a story’s plot in some way, such as by providing information about what has happened elsewhere. This sense of the word is often used in the plural form plot lines.

Example: I thought the novel had a few unnecessary plot lines that didn’t go anywhere.

Where does plot line come from?

The first records of the term plot line come from the late 1950s.

Plot line is often used to refer to one of the many events that make up the plot or a part of the plot. In this sense, the plot is thought of as many lines that intersect or branch off in different directions. In the context of a long-running program, plot line is especially used to refer to a smaller story that’s part of the larger plot.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to plot line?

• plotline (alternate spelling)
• plot lines (plural noun)

What are some synonyms for plot line?

• story line

What are some words that share a root or word element with plot line? 

• plot
• line

What are some words that often get used in discussing plot line?

• narrative
• story
• dialogue
• climax
• twists
• turns
• action
• events

How is plot line used in real life?

The term plot line can be used in the context of real-life events, but it’s most commonly used in the discussion of fictional stories.

Hates that moment when the show you watch decides to take a turn to a really stupid plot line.

— devon (@devc123) June 5, 2012

Cubs winning the World Series is another loose plot line tied up before next week's series finale of America.

— Gerry Duggan (@GerryDuggan) November 3, 2016

But the idea of regrets seem to play a key role in the show (at least early on), with DM choosing to live her life without regrets (because of what JP/Halmeoni wrote in the letter). I really hope this idea/plot line comes full circle again in the last two episodes…

— Sara (@SaraMarie9393) December 1, 2020

 

 

Try using plot line!

True or False?

The term plot line can refer to a line of dialogue that advances the plot.