storyteller
gb/stˈɔɹitˌɛlɚ/ us/stˈɔɹitˌɛlɚ/
B1
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
role
1
person who tells stories
A person who tells stories.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is a storyteller
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse storyteller (the person) with storytelling (the activity).
Synonyms
narrator (Often refers to the voice telling a story in a book/film, not necessarily a real person performing.)
|
tale-teller (Less common; can sound old-fashioned or playful.)
Antonyms
listener (The audience role rather than the person speaking.)
Collocations
traditional storyteller
|professional storyteller
|oral storyteller
|folk storyteller
|a storyteller and writer
|a storyteller for children
|storyteller at a festival
|a gifted storyteller
|local storyteller
|storyteller on stage
Themes
arts
|media
|education
|communication
Examples
- The festival invited a storyteller to perform traditional folktales.
- She worked as a storyteller at the children’s library every weekend.
- In many cultures, storytellers pass history on through spoken tales.
Learner examples
- My grandfather is a storyteller.
- The storyteller told us a funny story.
Noun
B2
role
2
writer who tells stories
A person who creates stories in writing or media.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is a storyteller in [medium]
Common mistake:
Learners may think storyteller only means someone who speaks stories aloud; it also commonly describes writers and filmmakers.
Synonyms
author (Neutral; focuses on writing rather than the act of telling a story well.)
|
writer (Broader; does not necessarily imply narrative skill.)
|
filmmaker (Only fits when the person tells stories through film.)
Antonyms
fact-checker (Focuses on verifying facts rather than creating narratives.)
Collocations
brilliant storyteller
|compelling storyteller
|a storyteller at heart
|a natural storyteller
|a born storyteller
|visual storyteller
|cinematic storyteller
|master storyteller
|storyteller and director
|one of the best storytellers
Themes
arts
|media
|literature
|film
Examples
- As a storyteller, she knows exactly when to reveal a twist.
- Many critics call him one of the great storytellers of modern cinema.
- The game’s designer is a storyteller who builds rich worlds through dialogue and choice.
Learner examples
- He is a good storyteller.
- She is a storyteller and writes novels.
Noun
business
C1
role
3
person who uses narrative to persuade
Someone who uses stories to communicate or persuade.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is a storyteller for [brand/organization]
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse storyteller in formal business writing where communicator or spokesperson would be clearer.
Synonyms
communicator (More general; does not imply using narrative.)
|
marketer (Focuses on the job; may or may not use storytelling methods.)
Antonyms
critic (Evaluates or challenges rather than promoting a narrative.)
Collocations
brand storyteller
|corporate storyteller
|data storyteller
|strategic storyteller
|storyteller in marketing
|storyteller for the company
|a powerful storyteller
|effective storyteller
|storyteller on stage
|storyteller in the boardroom
Themes
business
|marketing
|communication
|public_speaking
Examples
- In the interview, she presented herself as a storyteller who can connect data to real people.
- The campaign needed a storyteller to turn product details into a clear message.
- Great leaders are often storytellers who can make a vision feel personal.
Learner examples
- Our manager is a strong storyteller.
- He is a storyteller in marketing.
Grammar
Dictionary form
storyteller
IPA
GB/stˈɔɹitˌɛlɚ/
US/stˈɔɹitˌɛlɚ/
Syllables & stress
storyteller (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (storyteller)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: storyteller
- Plural: storytellers
Expressions
a born storyteller
1/ə bˈɔɹn stˈɔɹitˌɛlɚ/
fixed phrase
naturally very good at storytelling
Someone who is naturally good at telling stories.
Examples
- Everyone leaned in—he’s a born storyteller.
- She’s a born storyteller, even when she’s just describing her day.
a natural storyteller
1/ə nˈæt͡ʃɚəl stˈɔɹitˌɛlɚ/
fixed phrase
instinctively engaging storyteller
Someone who tells stories well naturally.
Examples
- He’s a natural storyteller, and his talks never feel rehearsed.
- She turned a small mistake into a funny story—she’s a natural storyteller.
brand storyteller
1/bɹˈænd stˈɔɹitˌɛlɚ/
fixed phrase
business
person shaping brand narrative
Someone who tells a company’s story to customers.
Examples
- The startup hired a brand storyteller to clarify what the company stands for.
- As a brand storyteller, he turns customer experiences into campaigns.
master storyteller
1/mˈæstɚ stˈɔɹitˌɛlɚ/
fixed phrase
highly skilled storyteller
A very skilled storyteller.
Examples
- The documentary is guided by a master storyteller who keeps the pacing tight.
- Reviewers praised her as a master storyteller with a sharp eye for detail.
oral storyteller
1/ˈɔɹəl stˈɔɹitˌɛlɚ/
fixed phrase
storyteller who speaks stories
Someone who tells stories by speaking, not writing.
Examples
- The museum hosted an oral storyteller to share local legends.
- As an oral storyteller, she changes details depending on the audience.
visual storyteller
1/vˈɪʒuəl stˈɔɹitˌɛlɚ/
fixed phrase
storyteller using images
Someone who tells stories with pictures or video.
Examples
- As a visual storyteller, she communicates emotion with color and framing.
- The director is a visual storyteller who relies on images more than dialogue.