commentate
Americanverb (used with object)
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commentates,
present (3rd person singular)
-
commentated,
past participle, past
-
commentating
present participle
-
to deliver a commentary on.
to commentate a fashion show.
-
to write a commentary on; annotate.
to commentate the Book of Job.
verb (used without object)
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commentates,
present (3rd person singular)
-
commentated,
past participle, past
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commentating
present participle
-
to serve as a commentator.
The senior staff member will commentate, as usual.
-
to make explanatory or critical comments, as upon a text.
the manuscript on which I am commentating.
verb
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(intr) to serve as a commentator
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(tr) to make a commentary on (a text, event, etc)
Usage
The verb commentate, derived from commentator, is sometimes used as a synonym for comment on or provide a commentary for. It is not yet fully accepted as standard, though widespread in sports reporting and journalism
Other Word Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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commentatesimple
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commentatessimple
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have commentatedperfect
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has commentatedperfect
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am commentatingprogressive
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are commentatingprogressive
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is commentatingprogressive
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have been commentatingperfect progressive
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has been commentatingperfect progressive
Past
-
commentatedsimple
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had commentatedperfect
-
was commentatingprogressive
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were commentatingprogressive
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had been commentatingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of commentate
First recorded in 1785–95; back formation from commentator
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.
See Examples For:
But commentators gotta commentate, and the time off in the woods has not mellowed Carlson.
From New York Times ● Jun. 7, 2023
Even as I get to commentate and present on more cricket for the BBC, I'm still that seven-year-old kid at heart, watching his heroes in lime green.
From BBC ● Nov. 12, 2022
“There’s no one single solution to the problem,” said Swangard, the sports marketing expert who during the world championships will commentate for NBC Sports.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 18, 2022
"The game isn’t the thing. It’s whether the broadcaster will let me commentate," said Weiler.
From Fox News ● Jan. 12, 2022
Surely nobody in their right mind would have let Luna Lovegood commentate?
From "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by J.K. Rowling
BBC Newcastle's Nick Barnes will reach a milestone when he commentates on his 1,000th football match.
From BBC ● Oct. 21, 2023
She’s the “famed” announcer who commentates on the everyday life things.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 12, 2023
I’m a 26-year-old blind individual who color commentates baseball games,’ ” Iacovone said.
From Washington Post ● Sep. 26, 2019
Former McLaren driver Martin Brundle, who commentates for Britain's Sky Sports television, and Jordan both said at the weekend they believed announcements were imminent.
From Reuters ● Sep. 25, 2012
“I hope Luna always commentates from now on...Loser’s Lurgy...”
From "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by J.K. Rowling
I commentated on Mingueza playing for Spain at the Nations League finals a year ago and he is very impressive at turning defence into attack.
From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2026
French, a dual code rugby international as a player, commentated on every Challenge Cup final for BBC TV from 1982 to 2008.
From BBC ● Jul. 26, 2025
"How many games have I commentated on? I haven't got a clue," he admits.
From BBC ● Jun. 15, 2025
Edmond Dehorter, sometimes referred to as ‘the unknown speaker’ and later as the ‘father of sports commentary’, commentated on the Games for Radio-Paris.
From BBC ● Apr. 16, 2024
This tendency of the country is shown even in Parliament, where the deputies often confute their opponents with biblical quotations read in Hebrew, or translated and commentated, the discussion degenerating into very disquisitions on theology.
From Holland, v. 1 (of 2) by Helen Zimmern
His involvement with the NFL expanded off the green as he explored TV commentating, even earning Sports Emmy nominations for outstanding sports personality in 1994 and 1996.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 9, 2026
American actor Mac, 48, described commentating on Wrexham's game against Swansea as the "most rewarding professional experience of my entire life".
From BBC ● Mar. 21, 2026
Former England fast bowler Steven Finn, commentating on TNT, said it was "completely brainless".
From BBC ● Jan. 4, 2026
"It was the largest city in western Europe, with a population of over half a million, and it had an ebullient print media that was constantly commentating on the fashions and follies of the age."
From BBC ● Sep. 4, 2025
“He is really struggling here. We have never seen him choke this badly in all of our commentating from his head!”
From "Here to Stay" by Sara Farizan
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