narrative

1 of 2

noun

nar·​ra·​tive ˈner-ə-tiv 

ˈna-rə-

1

a

: something that is narrated : story, account

He is writing a detailed narrative of his life on the island.

b

: a way of presenting or understanding a situation or series of events that reflects and promotes a particular point of view or set of values

The rise of the Tea Party and the weakness of the Obama economy have fueled a Republican narrative about Big Government as a threat to liberty …

—Michael Grunwald

The media narrative around Kelly's appointment had two central ideas … : He would calm and professionalize the White House, and he would provide a more measured leadership style than his boss.

—Perry Bacon, Jr.

2

: the art or practice of narration

… depended not on narrative but on intensity derived from the verity to make the book jump.

—Stanley Kauffmann

3

: the representation in art of an event or story

also : an example of such a representation

the narrative of St. Joan of Arc

narratively adverb

narrative

2 of 2

adjective

1

: having the form of a story or representing a story

a narrative poem

narrative paintings

2

: of or relating to the process of telling a story

the author's narrative style

the novel's narrative structure

Synonyms

Noun

• account
• chronicle
• chronology
• commentary
• commentaries
• history
• narration
• record
• report
• story

Examples of narrative in a Sentence

Noun

He is writing a detailed narrative of his life on the island.

People have questioned the accuracy of his narrative.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In the book, Andrews entwines two main suspenseful narratives. —Joe Spring, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Dec. 2024

By changing the narrative around this type of technology, and focusing on deploying training equitably, leaders can help ensure their employees feel confident and empowered to leverage these tools to drive solutions that are innovative and meet the needs of their customers. —Bill Pappas, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024

Adjective

In responding to the backlash, Eddy Cue, Apple's Senior Vice President of Services, clarified that the fainting scene is part of the film's narrative progression and assured that viewers would understand its importance once the movie is viewed in its entirety. —Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024

Ross, who co-wrote the script with Joslyn Barnes, achieves an advance in narrative form, one that singularly befits the movie’s subject—not just dramatically but historically and morally, too. —Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 6 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1567, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing narrative

• counter-narrative

Kids Definition

narrative

noun

nar·​ra·​tive ˈnar-ət-iv 

1

: something (as a story) that is told or written

2

: the art or practice of telling stories

narrative adjective