narrative
Americannoun
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a story or account of events, experiences, or the like, whether true or fictitious.
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a book, literary work, etc., containing such a story.
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the art, technique, or process of narrating, or of telling a story.
Somerset Maugham was a master of narrative.
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a story that connects and explains a carefully selected set of supposedly true events, experiences, or the like, intended to support a particular viewpoint or thesis.
to rewrite the prevailing narrative about masculinity; the narrative that our public schools are failing.
adjective
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consisting of or being a narrative.
a narrative poem.
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of or relating to narration, or the telling of a story.
My English teacher's narrative skill makes characters seem to come to life.
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Fine Arts. representing stories or events pictorially or sculpturally.
narrative painting.
noun
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an account, report, or story, as of events, experiences, etc
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the part of a literary work that relates events
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the process or technique of narrating
adjective
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telling a story
a narrative poem
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of or relating to narration
narrative art
Related Words
Narrative, account, recital, history are terms for a story of an event or events. Narrative is the general term (for a story long or short; of past, present, or future; factual or imagined; told for any purpose; and with or without much detail). The other three terms apply primarily to factual stories of time already past. An account is usually told informally, often for entertainment, with emphasis on details of action, whether about an incident or a series of happenings. A recital is an extended narrative usually with an informative purpose, emphasizing accuracy and exhaustive details of facts and figures. A history, usually written and at some length, is characterized by a tracing of causes and effects, and by an attempt to estimate, evaluate, and interpret facts.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of narrative
First recorded in 1445–55; from Middle French narratif (adjective and noun), from Late Latin narrātīvus “narration” (noun), “suitable for narration” (adjective), from narrāt(us) “related, told” (past participle of narrāre “to relate, tell, say”) + -īvus, adjective suffix; equivalent to narrate ( def. ) + -ive ( def. )
Explanation
A narrative is a story that you write or tell to someone, usually in great detail. A narrative can be a work of poetry or prose, or even song, theater, or dance. Often a narrative is meant to include the "whole story." A summary will give a few key details and then the narrative will delve into the details. "I hate to interrupt your narrative," is a polite way of stopping someone in the middle of a story. The origin of this noun is the Latin adjective narrativus, from narrare "to tell," from gnarus "knowing." It is related to our English verb know.
Vocabulary lists containing narrative
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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TEKS ELAR Academic Vocabulary List (5th-7th grades)
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The SAT: Language of the Test, List 5
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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.
Curator Sandra Jackson-Dumont, former director and CEO of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, applauded Barrois’ use of gum wrappers.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 13, 2026
Less than a month after announcing its opening date, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art told staff that chief curator Pilar Tompkins Rivas is leaving the museum this week.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 4, 2025
In 2026, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is scheduled to open in Los Angeles—another signal event in the return of the heady transports of fantasy illustration to critical and popular esteem.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 21, 2025
The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art has riveted the public with its futuristic architecture.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 23, 2025
Carey, of course, had been a volunteer on the committee and taken no pay for his time, but the authors of the Narrative would not let him fall back on this fact.
From "An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793" by Jim Murphy
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
