narrate

[nar-eyt, na-reyt]

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verb (used with object), nar·rat·ed, nar·rat·ing.

to give an account or tell the story of (events, experiences, etc.).
to add a spoken commentary to (a film, television program, etc.): to narrate a slide show.

verb (used without object), nar·rat·ed, nar·rat·ing.

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

Origin of narrate

1650–60; < Latin narrātus (past participle of narrāre to relate, tell, say), equivalent to nār(us) knowing, acquainted with (variant of gnārus; see cognition) + -ātus -ate¹

Related formsnar·rat·a·ble, adjectivenar·ra·tor, nar·rat·er

[nar-ey-ter, na-rey-, nar-uh-] /ˈnær eɪ tər, næˈreɪ-, ˈnær ə-/, nounmis·nar·rate, verb, mis·nar·rat·ed, mis·nar·rat·ing.un·nar·rat·a·ble, adjectiveun·nar·rat·ed, adjectivewell-nar·rat·ed, adjective

Synonyms for narrate

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1. detail, recite.

Synonym study

1. See describe.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for narrating

recite, portray, depict, chronicle, rehearse, unfold, recount, disclose, reveal, picture, repeat, delineate, characterize, expatiate, relate, enumerate, state, proclaim, paint, discourse

Examples from the Web for narrating

Contemporary Examples of narrating

For Washington is narrating America through its demons, one story at a time.
NPR’s Smooth-Talking Millennial Whisperer
Batya Ungar-Sargon
October 7, 2014

Historical Examples of narrating

Vuillet commenced by narrating the entry of the insurgents into Plassans.
The Fortune of the Rougons
Emile Zola
In doing so you will have the pleasure of narrating the reason of your fame.
The Economist
Xenophon
He laughed while narrating this part at the recollection of his polite alacrity.
Lord Jim
Joseph Conrad
After a short time the Indians all left the cabin, and the white men held a conference together, narrating past events.
The Adventures of the Chevalier De La Salle and His Companions, in Their Explorations of the Prairies, Forests, Lakes, and Rivers, of the New World, and Their Interviews with the Savage Tribes, Two Hundred Years Ago
John S. C. Abbott
While they were narrating their adventures, others gathered round to listen.
Roger Willoughby
William H. G. Kingston

British Dictionary definitions for narrating

narrate

verb

to tell (a story); relate
to speak in accompaniment of (a film, television programme, etc)

Derived Formsnarratable, adjective

Word Origin for narrate

C17: from Latin narrāre to recount, from gnārus knowing

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for narrating

narrate

1748, back-formation from narration or else from Latin narratus, past participle of narrare "to tell, relate, recount" (see narration). "Richardson and Johnson call it Scottish" [OED], a stigma which kept it from general use until 19c. A few mid-17c. instances are traceable to Spanish narrar. Related: Narrated; narrating.