What does story mean?
Story is a highly flexible English noun for an account of events, experiences, or ideas arranged into a sequence. It can describe a spoken anecdote, a fictional narrative, a news report, or the history and background of a person, place, or institution. The word often carries a sense of narrative shape or human interest: a story has a beginning, development, and sometimes a conclusion. In journalism, “the story” may mean the central issue being reported, while “tell a story” can refer to recounting an experience or explaining what happened. Story can also suggest fiction, especially in expressions such as “a good story,” although it does not necessarily imply that the account is untrue. Its broad range makes it useful in both formal and informal contexts, while its historical connection to ideas of inquiry and history links storytelling with the effort to understand and communicate the past.
nounA story is a spoken or written account of events, ideas, or experiences, especially one presented as a connected sequence. It may be true, fictional, or presented as a news report.
- A spoken or written account of events or experiences, especially one presented as a connected narrative.
- A fictional narrative, such as a short story, fairy tale, or fictional account.
- A news report or article about an event or issue.
- The history, background, or development of a person, place, institution, or subject: the story of the company.
- A particular sequence of events within a larger plot or situation.
"She told a story about her childhood that made the whole family laugh."
"The story begins when the two strangers meet at a railway station."
"The newspaper reported a remarkable story about a lost dog that found its way home."
"The old house has an interesting story behind its design."
Use the plural stories for multiple accounts or narratives.
"The children enjoyed listening to stories before bed."
The word story ultimately comes from the Greek word for inquiry, reminding us that every story is a way of finding out and making sense of the world.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does story come from?
The English word story entered Middle English through Anglo-Norman and Old French forms of the Latin historia. Latin historia in turn came from Greek historia, meaning “inquiry” or “narrative,” and refers to learning about or recounting past events. Over time, the word developed from a learned or historical account into the broader modern sense of any narrative, including fiction, personal anecdotes, and news reports.
Related word forms
How story is actually used
In everyday use, story is broad and often neutral, ranging from a fictional narrative to a news account or personal anecdote. In journalism, it can refer to a news angle or subject; in conversation, phrases such as “What’s the story?” are informal and may ask for an explanation. In British English, story is sometimes confused with storey, especially when the context is not clear.
Easily confused with story
A story is a narrative or account, whereas a storey is a level or floor of a building.