Story
UK /["/ˈstɔːri/"]/US /["/ˈstɔːri/"]/
Definition
a description of events and people that the writer or speaker has invented in order to entertain people
In simple words: A description of events, real or made up.
Examples
- The teacher asked us to write a story about our summer vacation.
- She told a funny story that made everyone laugh.
- The story in the book had a surprising ending.
- He is known for his ability to tell a story with great detail.
Usage notes
Used in both spoken and written English. Can refer to fictional tales or real-life accounts. Avoid using in overly formal contexts like academic papers.
Grammar pattern
standalone noun
Memory hint
Think of a 'story' as a 'set of events' – imagine a storyteller sharing tales by a fire.
Collocations
- true
- plausible
- false
- collection
- hear
- read (somebody)
- write
- circulate
- go around
- go round
- teller
- telling
- line
- according to a/the story
- story about
- story of
- a fragment of a/the story
- a part of a/the story
- the rest of the story
- true
- plausible
- false
- collection
- hear
- read (somebody)
- write
- circulate
- go around
- go round
- teller
- telling
- line
- according to a/the story
- story about
- story of
- a fragment of a/the story
- a part of a/the story
- the rest of the story
- true
- plausible
- false
- collection
- hear
- read (somebody)
- write
- circulate
- go around
- go round
- teller
- telling
- line
- according to a/the story
- story about
- story of
- a fragment of a/the story
- a part of a/the story
- the rest of the story
- big
- huge
- top
- file
- write
- carry
- break
- story about
- story of
Synonyms
- tale
- narrative
- account
- report
Antonyms
- truth
- fact
Common mistakes
- Confused with 'history' when referring to real events.
- Using 'story' as a verb instead of a noun.