Backstory

Alternative forms

• back story
• back-story

Origin

back + story

Noun

1. The previous life and experiences of a character in a dramatic work.
• 2004, January 16, Kelly Kleiman, Her Side of the Story, 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.
• A fictitious account of a person's history designed to conceal their actual history and motives; a cover story.
2. A prequel.