story

/ˈstɔːri/
nounBeginner a narrative of events
general

an account of imaginary or real people and events told for entertainment

The children loved listening to bedtime stories.

The children enjoyed hearing fictional narratives before sleep.

💡

Can refer to fictional or non-fictional accounts.

general

a report or description of past events, experiences, or situations

He shared his story of overcoming adversity.

He described his personal journey of facing and overcoming challenges.

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Often used in journalism, history, or personal narratives.

general

a sequence of events or a situation that is interesting or significant

The story of the company's rise to success is inspiring.

The narrative of the company's growth and achievements is motivating.

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Can refer to real-life events or fictional plots.

Collocations

tell a storyto narrate an accountshort storya brief fictional narrativestorytellingthe art of narrating stories

Related Phrases

once upon a timephrase
a common opening for fairy tales
happily ever afterphrase
a common ending for fairy tales

💡Pro Tip

Usage in Context

The word 'story' can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the narrative being shared.

Gold Rule

Fictional vs. Non-Fictional

'Story' can refer to both fictional and non-fictional accounts, so context is important.

📖Word Origin

From Middle English 'storie', from Old French 'estoire', from Latin 'historia' (meaning 'inquiry, narrative').

📝Usage Notes

Can be used both for fictional and non-fictional narratives. Often used in literature, journalism, and personal anecdotes.

Word Breakdown

story
a narrative or account
root
English Dictionary