story

sto|ry [ `stɔri ] noun count ***

1. ) an account of something that happened. Stories can be imaginary, traditional, or true:

She's written several children's stories.

Can we have a bedtime story?

The book is about the discovery of DNA it's a marvelous story.

story about: a story about a princess and a frog

detective/love/adventure story: a dark and passionate love story with a happy ending

read/tell a story: She was reading a story to the children.

=> HISTORY

a ) an account of events in a newspaper report or news program:

news story: And now for a recap of tonight's main news stories.

front-page story: The murder was a front-page story in every newspaper.

b ) an account of something, for example someone's life:

true/life story: Evelyn Adams: Her True Story

story of: The movie is the story of their friendship.

the story behind something: The book reveals the story behind this traditional dance.

c ) a spoken account of something that happened to you:

Have you heard his story about the time he met Paul Newman?

d ) the events in a book, movie, etc.:

The special effects were good, but the story was boring.

e ) swap stories if people swap stories, they tell each other about things that have happened to them:

The discussion group enables people to swap stories and share experiences.

2. ) an excuse or reason that is not true:

Do you expect me to believe that ridiculous story?

He's concocted an elaborate story about where he was that night.

a ) change your story to give a different explanation from the one that you gave before:

When the police questioned him again, he changed his story.

b ) a likely story SPOKEN something that you do not think is true

3. ) something that people are talking about that may not be true: RUMOR:

There are stories going around that they are having an affair.

I heard a story that he had moved to Australia.

The President has refused to confirm or deny the story.

4. ) AMERICAN a level in a building. British storey:

Our apartment is on the fourth story.

In addition, there's a three-story cafeteria and restaurant.

A 15-story building is under construction here.

be another/a different story SPOKEN

1. ) to be completely different:

It's very well organized this year, but last year was a different story.

2. ) to not be relevant

it's a long story SPOKEN

used for saying that you do not want to talk about something because it is complicated

it's the same old story SPOKEN

used for saying that a bad situation has often happened before

(it's the) story of my life HUMOROUS

used when talking about something bad that happens to you often:

I meet a nice man and he's already married story of my life.

to cut/make a long story short SPOKEN

used for saying that you are not going to give all the details

your side of the story

your account of what happened, when someone else gives a different account:

I'd like to hear his side of the story as well.