Word
storyboard
Phoneticssto·ry·board, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈstɔɹiˌbɔɹd/
UK/stˈɔːɹɪbˌɔːd/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a set of drawings that shows the plan for a film, video, or story, picture by picture. You use it to plan what happens in each scene before you start filming.
n. a sequence of ordered illustrations that previsualises a film, animation, or other narrative, typically pairing each image with notes on action, dialogue, or camera movement.
Examples
“They draw a storyboard before they film the video.”
“The marketing team sketches a storyboard to plan each shot of the new advert before hiring actors.”
“Before committing to expensive location shoots, the director refines the storyboard to test pacing, transitions, and visual continuity across sequences.”
Examples
simple
“They draw a storyboard before they film the video.”
contextual
“The marketing team sketches a storyboard to plan each shot of the new advert before hiring actors.”
complex
“Before committing to expensive location shoots, the director refines the storyboard to test pacing, transitions, and visual continuity across sequences.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “storyboard” in context.
Verb
01. approve storyboard
“The producer must approve the storyboard before we film.”
verb + noun
02. create storyboard
“They hired an artist to create the storyboard for the short film.”
verb + noun
03. follow storyboard
“The crew followed the storyboard closely during the shoot.”
verb + noun
04. revise storyboard
“After feedback, we had to revise the storyboard completely.”
verb + noun
05. sketch storyboard
“He quickly sketched the storyboard during the planning meeting.”
verb + noun
Adjective
06. detailed storyboard
“The director prepared a detailed storyboard before filming started.”
adj + noun
07. digital storyboard
“We created a digital storyboard using new animation software.”
adj + noun
08. final storyboard
“The client approved the final storyboard for the advert.”
adj + noun
09. rough storyboard
“She sketched a rough storyboard to explain her idea to the team.”
adj + noun
10. create a detailed storyboard
“Our team created a detailed storyboard for the music video.”
11. present the final storyboard
“She will present the final storyboard to the client tomorrow.”
12. sketch out a storyboard
“First, sketch out a storyboard to plan your scenes.”
Real-World Examples
“The director encouraged his designer to draw not just the spaces, but the actors too, creating something closer to a storyboard image than a set design.” “Although we left it unopened for six months or more." The archive haul included papers, scripts and storyboards, but it also shed light on the long shadow cast by The Wicker Man.” Etymology
From story + board.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADVERB
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/storyboard