narrate

[ nar-eyt, na-reyt ]

verb (used with object)

, nar·rat·ed, nar·rat·ing.

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)

, nar·rat·ed, nar·rat·ing.

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)

Derived Forms

• narˈratable, adjective

Other Words From

• narrat·a·ble adjective
• nar·ra·tor nar·rat·er [nar, -ey-ter, na-, rey, -, nar, -, uh, -], noun
• mis·narrate verb misnarrated misnarrating
• un·narrat·a·ble adjective
• un·narrat·ed adjective
• well-narrat·ed 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

The Los Angeles Master Chorale was one of the many commissioning organizations, and Jane Fonda will narrate at the U.S. premiere next May.

From Los Angeles Times

The second half, Dudamel told the audience, included excerpts from an opera about sex and cigarettes and murder that Martín wasn’t allowed to narrate.

From Los Angeles Times

But her ballyhooed CNN interview with Dana Bash showcased a candidate who wasn’t willing to even narrate the shift in her thinking on issues like fracking.

From Slate

At the heart of the showcase is an immersive sculpture series called “Personal Responsibility,” made up of tents and other makeshift shelters, whose “inhabitants” — projections of actors playing future climate refugees — narrate their experience of the coming disaster.

From Los Angeles Times

Humber allegedly told a group chat that included the attacker, “If you became a Saint I’d narrate your book.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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