# stories

/ˈstɔɹiz/ (US) · /stˈɔːɹɪz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/stories
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. tales or narratives

noun · CEFR A1

descriptions of imaginary or real people and events told for entertainment.

For teachers: accounts of imaginary or real people and events, typically narrated for entertainment or historical record.

- The children loved listening to bedtime stories about dragons and brave knights.
- The anthology contains a diverse collection of short stories that explore the complexities of human relationships in urban environments.

### 2. levels of a building

noun · CEFR A2 · American English

the different floors or levels in a house or building.

For teachers: the levels or floors of a building, representing the space between one floor and the next.

- The new office building is ten stories high and has a great view.
- The architect designed a residential complex consisting of several twelve-story towers connected by a central garden plaza.

Usage: In American English, 'story' refers to both a tale and a floor; in British English, 'storey' is used for floors.

Teaching tip: When teaching British English learners, point out that 'stories' only refers to tales, while 'storeys' refers to building levels.

### 3. to tell or record

verb · CEFR C2 · Literary · Archaic

to tell or write about something as a story.

For teachers: to narrate or record in history or legend; often used in the passive form 'storied'.

- The old legend stories the life of a king who lived in the forest.
- The tapestry stories the events of the battle with remarkable detail and artistic skill.

Usage: This verb form is rare in modern speech and is mostly found in older literature or formal historical accounts.

## Examples

- She tells her children stories every night before bed.
- The journalist spent months collecting personal stories from survivors to create a more emotional news report.
- While the historical facts are well-documented, the local stories passed down through generations offer a more intimate perspective on how the community survived the crisis.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.