narrative

1 of 2

noun

nar·​ra·​tive ˈner-ə-tiv How to pronounce narrative (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
There’s a dangerous narrative that refugees threaten national identity. Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 25 June 2025 The gallery’s setting, marooned on the tiny island of Illa del Rei reached by boat from the Mahón harbor, feels cut off from reality, and is an ideal stage for her looped, surreal narratives. Nargess Banks, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
Adjective
As the voice of Rex, Norton doesn’t have a ton of narrative weight to bear, but as the more eagerly helpful counterbalance to the nihilistic Chief, Norton’s chipper intonations set the right tone. 43. Joe Reid, Vulture, 12 June 2025 Testing a narrative concept with media, analysts or influencers. Rj Bardsley, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for narrative

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1567, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of narrative was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Narrative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/narrative. Accessed 29 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

narrative

noun
nar·​ra·​tive ˈnar-ət-iv How to pronounce narrative (audio)
1
: something (as a story) that is told or written
2
: the art or practice of telling stories
narrative adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on narrative

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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