commentary

American  

[kom-uhn-ter-ee] / ˈkɒm ənˌtɛr i /

noun

plural

commentaries

1. a series of comments, explanations, or annotations.

   a commentary on the Bible; news followed by a commentary.

2. an explanatory essay or treatise.

   a commentary on a play; Blackstone's commentaries on law.

3. 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.

4. Usually commentaries. records of facts or events.

   Commentaries written by Roman lawyers give us information on how their courts functioned.

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commentary British  

/ ˌkɒmənˈtɛərɪəl, -trɪ, ˈkɒməntərɪ /

noun

1. an explanatory series of notes or comments

2. a spoken accompaniment to a broadcast, film, etc, esp of a sporting event

3. an explanatory essay or treatise on a text

4. (usually plural) a personal record of events or facts

   the commentaries of Caesar

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Other Word Forms

• commentarial adjective
• supercommentary noun

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.

Example Sentences

But for every poorly aged joke, there’s a gag or a bit of veiled social commentary that’s surprisingly progressive for its time.

From Salon • Apr. 18, 2026

In the race for leadership of the city, even Mayor Karen Bass and Councilmember Nithya Raman say things have got to change, which isn’t necessarily the best commentary on their stewardship.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 18, 2026

“I took all of his commentary to be very, very careful not to disparage any person on the court or elsewhere,” she said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

Talking Points BMO Capital Markets External link April 17: This missive marks the seventh consecutive week of starting with commentary on the conflict in Iran, and it could possibly be the last.

From Barron's • Apr. 17, 2026

Tolstoy, of course, as an omniscient narrator, also provides a running commentary, establishing what it was that the combatants were all, willy-nilly, conspiring to bring about.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Related Words

• comment
• criticism
• critique
• description
• explanation
• narration
• observation
• remark
• review
• treatise