narrate

verb

nar·rate ˈner-ˌāt

ˈna-ˌrat,

na-ˈrāt

narrated; narrating

Synonyms of narrate

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

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

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.

In addition to taking a more nostalgic tone than the darker source material, Stand by Me puts its focus on Wil Wheaton‘s Gordie, with Richard Dreyfuss stepping in after principal photography to narrate the movie as an adult version of the character. — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 8 Aug. 2026 The action has been narrated by actress Judi Dench since 2007. — Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2026 True to form, the story is narrated by an unscrupulous wanna-be novelist named Bret Easton Ellis (Igby Rigney), a closet case lusting away for the new hunk at his cruel prep school. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2026 The audiobook, out from HarperAudio, will be narrated by acclaimed actor Nolan North. — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for narrate

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

Time Traveler

The first known use of narrate was in 1656

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

narratage

narrate

narration

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Narrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/narrate. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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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

narrate

verb

Synonyms of narrate

Examples of narrate in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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narrate

verb

Synonyms of narrate

Examples of narrate in a Sentence

Word History

Rhymes for narrate

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Cite this Entry

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