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

The puzzle at the center of The Accountant 2 matters insofar as the film needs a narrative propellant. —Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Mar. 2025

Philibert, who edits his own films, added that the most important thing was to construct a narrative. —Leo Barraclough, Variety, 9 Mar. 2025

Adjective

While the narrative element is still central to her work, two decades of creative refinement have produced a highly sophisticated, sculptural style that echoes her work as an artist. —Kate Matthams, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025

But Stranger is more than a bravura display to recall Chantal Akerman or Béla Tarr—its command of space and movement set the stage for an actor’s showcase and master class in narrative delineation that confirms Yang as one of China’s most exciting up-and-coming cinematic talents. —Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 5 Mar. 2025

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