backstory

Definitions

1. The previous experiences and life of a person, specifically (narratology, especially in film, television) a character in a dramatic work.
2. A fictitious account of a person's history designed to conceal their actual history and motives.

Equivalents

Examples

“What’s the backstory of our new colleague?”

“These backstories cast⟳ the characters' behavior in a new light⟳: of course Gertrude would promptly marry⟳ the man who saved her from abuse; of course Ophelia would be desperate and indiscreet in seeking Hamlet's love⟳.”

“Inexplicably, and at great risk⟳ to the integrity of the movie, the filmmakers have⟳ burdened him with a psychological back story pulled out of a folder in some studio filing cabinet. Why does [Willy] Wonka spend⟳ his days confecting sweets?”

“Agent Lyla: Enough back story! / Dr. Doofenshmirtz: Actually, that's not, uh … that's not really a back story, it's just expositional flashback. It doesn't, uh, have⟳ any childhood trauma, it's doesn't really inform⟳ who he is, it's not … it's just flashback. There's a difference. It's subtle, but there's a difference.”

“Prince Harry may yet turn⟳ out to be the crown’s best insurance policy. By marrying Meghan Markle, he is linking royalty with a 21st-century celebrity who has a backstory that many people in Britain can identify⟳ with.”

CEFR level