An extended or continuing storyline in episodic storytelling media such as television or comic books.

A tale or an account of questionable veracity; a lie.

Used to suggest that someone's story or excuse is a lie.

A story about ghosts or the supernatural, often meant to be frightening.

(media) A story included in a publication that is highlighted on the front cover. / (espionage) A fictitious account that is intended to hide one's real motive.

Alternative spelling of backstory

(idiomatic) A rumour spread by a scaremonger in order to cause anxiety.

(fiction) A fictional narrative of distressing events. / (informal) A disturbing rumour. / An unpleasant experience.

The story is usually depicted as follows.

(literature) A work of fiction in which the author breaks in some way the conventional rules of storytelling, usually with some feature (for example, a lack of plot or characters, unusual punctuation, odd subject or presentation, etc.) that strongly challenges the reader's expectations.