The word storey is used when referring to any of the levels or floors in a multi-level building. It is the standard term used in British English and is usually spelled storey to differentiate it from the narrative story. Storey is particularly handy when describing the structure and height of buildings, or when providing directions within an edifice.

The term story is commonly used to describe a narrative or account of events that can either be true or a product of one's imagination. In American English, story can also refer to a level within a building, similar to storey in British English. When you want to captivate an audience or detail an event or series of events, story is the appropriate term to employ.

While storey and story may share a pronunciation, they have distinct meanings: storey refers to a level of a building, particularly in British English, while story describes a narrative or tale. In American English, story can mean both a tale and a level of a building. Despite these variations, context typically provides clarity on the intended use, making it easy to distinguish between the architectural storey and the literary story.