commentary
Americannoun
-
a series of comments, explanations, or annotations.
a commentary on the Bible; news followed by a commentary.
-
an explanatory essay or treatise.
a commentary on a play; Blackstone's commentaries on law.
-
anything serving to illustrate a point, prompt a realization, or exemplify, especially in the case of something unfortunate.
The dropout rate is a sad commentary on our school system.
-
Usually commentaries. records of facts or events.
Commentaries written by Roman lawyers give us information on how their courts functioned.
noun
-
an explanatory series of notes or comments
-
a spoken accompaniment to a broadcast, film, etc, esp of a sporting event
-
an explanatory essay or treatise on a text
-
(usually plural) a personal record of events or facts
the commentaries of Caesar
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of commentary
1375–1425; late Middle English commentaries (plural) < Latin commentārium notebook, noun use of neuter of commentārius, equivalent to comment ( um ) comment + -ārius -ary
Explanation
When the language in a work of literature such as "Beowulf" is difficult to understand, it is helpful to read from an edition that includes a commentary — an explanation or expansion or criticism added to the original material. Editorials go hand-in-hand with commentaries, since both express a writer's opinions. Commentary can be oral as well as written. Each year, following the President's State of the Union address, you can tune into the networks for commentary from respected news anchors. In fact, political commentary has become so pervasive in our media that some feel it has replaced reporting.
Vocabulary lists containing commentary
Argumentative Writing, List 2
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Journalism
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Awkward
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Authors of a related commentary agreed that the findings deserve closer attention from eye specialists and researchers.
From Science Daily • May 23, 2026
He occasionally offered commentary in verse, which earned him the title of poet-in-residence at CBS News.
From Los Angeles Times • May 22, 2026
Listen to radio and follow live text commentary from 22:00 BST on Saturday, 23 May on BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Sounds and BBC Sport website and app.
From BBC • May 21, 2026
Corrections & Amplifications “Risk has been on and off,” NAB’s Ken Crompton says in commentary.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026
It was quickly followed by Francesco Barozzi’s 1560 translation of Proclus’s commentary on the first book of Euclid, which presented the history of mathematics in terms of a series of inventions or discoveries.
From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
