narrate

American  

[nar-eyt, na-reyt] / ˈnær eɪt, næˈreɪt /

verb (used with object)

narrated, narrating

1. to give an account or tell the story of (events, experiences, etc.).

   Synonyms:

   recite , detail

2. to add a spoken commentary to (a film, television program, etc.).

   The Oscar-winning actor recently produced and narrated a new documentary on climate change.

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verb (used without object)

narrated, narrating

1. to relate or recount events, experiences, etc., in speech or writing.

narrate British  

/ nəˈreɪt /

verb

1. to tell (a story); relate

2. to speak in accompaniment of (a film, television programme, etc)

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Related Words

See describe.

Other Word Forms

• misnarrate verb
• narratable adjective
• narrater noun
• narrator noun
• unnarratable adjective
• unnarrated adjective
• well-narrated adjective

Etymology

Origin of narrate

First recorded in 1650–60; from Latin narrātus (past participle of narrāre ”to relate, tell, say”), equivalent to nār(us) “knowing, acquainted with” (variant of gnārus; cognition ) + -ātus -ate ¹

Example Sentences

He and his colleagues track down film footage and photos, reach out to officials to verify what they’ve found and hammer out a script for Torres to narrate.

From Los Angeles Times

As he narrated his story, the sky lit up with a drone light show, depicting images of a heart and other dynamic patterns.

From Los Angeles Times

I had planned to create a video inventory of my mom’s condo and have her narrate the history of the important items.

From MarketWatch

"Violence, poverty, exile, loneliness, addiction and forgotten wars are issues that need to be acknowledged and narrated," the Pope said.

From BBC

"Do not be afraid to confront the world’s wounds. Violence, poverty, exile, loneliness, addiction and forgotten wars are issues that need to be acknowledged and narrated," he said.

From Barron's

Related Words

• chronicle
• depict
• portray
• recite
• recount
• rehearse
• unfold