narrate

[nar-eyt, na-reyt]

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.

verb (used without object)

narrated, narrating 

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

narrate

/ nəˈreɪt /

verb

1. to tell (a story); relate

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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of narrate¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of narrate¹

C17: from Latin narrāre to recount, from gnārus knowing

Synonym Study

See describe.

Example Sentences

Collins’ novel is narrated by Katniss, which McPherson wanted to incorporate.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Other wild animals like elephants and baboons also feature in the new series, which is narrated by Sir David Attenborough.

Read more on BBC

Together the images in the book narrate rituals around death in Harlem during its heyday as the center of a renaissance.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Yet Amélie, who earnestly narrates events as though each fragment of existence is an urgent matter, is perfectly content in her bubble.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

One such tale, the record’s opening title track, finds Allen narrating the inflection point in her marriage with sing-songy panache.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

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