PLOT LINE Definition & Meaning

plot line

noun

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

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of plot line¹

First recorded in 1955–60

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Her husband likes to tease her for watching her “dirty little shows,” with their outlandish and corny plot lines.

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The show has long been criticised for its portrayal of its female characters, who, many argued, were sexualised and denied meaningful plot lines.

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The Times spoke to Martin about making peace with sincerity in music, how plot lines about cults hit differently now, and what to do about comedy’s tangled relationship to the far right.

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Now, you've got this established fan base, you've got opportunities for crossovers with “Interview with the Vampire,” and the show is ratcheting up in plot lines and intensity each week.

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As a teen, I was addicted to programmes such as Waterloo Road and Skins, which, like soaps, followed the lives of a community who found themselves embroiled in increasingly outlandish plot lines.

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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.

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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?

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)

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

— Gerry Duggan (@GerryDuggan)

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)

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Try using��plot line!

True or False?

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

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