noun pl. stories -·ries

1. the telling of a happening or connected series of happenings, whether true or fictitious; account; narration
2. an anecdote or joke
3. 1. a fictitious literary composition in prose or poetry, shorter than a novel; narrative; tale; specif., short story
   2. the form of literature represented by such compositions
4. the plot of a novel, play, film, etc.
5. 1. a report or rumor
   2. Informal a falsehood or fib
6. romantic legend or history
7. ☆
   1. a news event or a report of it
   2. Informal the pertinent facts or circumstances relating to a particular person, situation, etc., esp. such facts not widely known or previously revealed what's his story? what's the story on your firing?
8. Informal the situation with regard to the subject being discussed; the aggregate of facts or circumstances involved what's the story on the hostages?

Etymology: ME storie < OFr estoire < L historia: see history

transitive verb storied -·ried, storying -·ry·ing

1. Archaic to tell the story of
2. to decorate with paintings, etc. representing scenes from history or legend