narrate

verb

nar·​rate ˈner-ˌāt 

ˈna-ˌrat,

na-ˈrāt 

narrated; narrating

transitive verb

: to tell (a story) in detail

The children enjoyed the lively manner with which she narrated her life's story.

also : to provide spoken commentary for (something, such as a movie or television show)

The documentary is narrated by a famous actor.

narrator

ˈner-ˌā-tər 

ˈna-ˌrā-

na-ˈrā-

nə-;

ˈner-ə-

ˈna-rə-

noun

Synonyms

• chart
• chronicle
• describe
• recite
• recount
• rehearse
• relate
• report
• tell

Examples of narrate in a Sentence

The author narrates her story in great detail.

a documentary narrated by a famous actor

Recent Examples on the Web

Culpo nor the TikTok user narrating the clip didn't explicitly explain the reason for comparing Berrios to Bryan. —Skyler Caruso, People.com, 17 Dec. 2024

With Mi Familia, director Gregory Nava creates an emotional and evocative story of multi-generational Mexican American family life, narrated by a second-generation immigrant. —Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Dec. 2024

Rodgers narrates much of his story, which is augmented by personal photos and home video, footage of him playing football and being interviewed, and appearances by those who knew and know him, including teammates Marshawn Lynch and Davonte Adams, and coaches Mike McCarthy and Matt LaFleur. —Ky Henderson, Rolling Stone, 17 Dec. 2024

Still, the demented descent into the cast collectively narrating Rock’s Simpsons fan-fiction is epically nonsensical. —Joe Berkowitz, Vulture, 15 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin narratus, past participle of narrare, from Latin gnarus knowing; akin to Latin gnoscere, noscere to know — more at know

First Known Use

1656, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

narrate

verb

nar·​rate ˈna(ə)r-ˌāt  na-ˈrāt 

narrated; narrating

: relate sense 1, tell

narrate a story

narrator

ˈna(ə)r-ˌāt-ər 

na-ˈrāt-

nə-;

ˈnar-ət-

noun