backstory

noun

back·​story ˈbak-ˌstȯr-ē How to pronounce backstory (audio)
: a story that tells what led up to the main story or plot (as of a film)

Examples of backstory in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Why not capture the attention of your peers with a riveting celebrity backstory or share a fun fact from a new wellness book? Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2025 Give me their backstory in 100 words… Gyokeres returns to England with a significantly higher profile after his first arrival. Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 28 July 2025 Do’s backstory explained Lee Do serves as a counterpoint to Baek’s nihilistic ruthlessness. Kayti Burt, Time, 25 July 2025 Additional backstory helps explain the plan’s omissions. Stuart Anderson, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for backstory

Word History

First Known Use

1982, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of backstory was in 1982

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Cite this Entry

“Backstory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backstory. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

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