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; see cognition) + -ātus -ate ¹

Explanation

When you tell a story or describe something out loud, you narrate. You might hire a well-known actor to narrate your documentary film about circus elephants. One way to narrate is to comment on or describe visual images — photographs or scenes in a film, for example. You can also narrate a story simply by relaying the details aloud. In books, a character sometimes narrates the story as well. It appears that narration, or the action of telling a story, came before narrate, from the Latin root narrare, "to tell, relate, or recount," or literally, "to make acquainted with."

Example Sentences

Narrate as you go, because your baby loves your voice and learns as you speak, which strengthens your connection.

From Washington Post • Mar. 23, 2022

Narrate the circumstances under which the Tribunes were first elected.

From Ancient Rome : from the earliest times down to 476 A. D. by Pennell, Robert Franklin

Narrate, O Servant, the things Thou didst behold at the time of Thine arrival in the City, that Thy testimony may endure amongst men, and serve as a warning unto them that believe.

From Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh by Bahá'u'lláh

Narrate the story of Onesimus, gathering it from the Epistle to Philemon.

From The Life of St. Paul by Stalker, James

Or, more fully: Narrate the circumstances of the first temptation of Jesus, and show wherein his virtue was particularly tried in that transaction.

From In the School-Room Chapters in the Philosophy of Education by Hart, John S. (John Seely)

Related Words

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