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.

Say what needs to change, keep the fix specific, and protect your energy before resentment starts narrating the whole situation. — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Aug. 2026 Jackson initially cast Ryan Gosling as the father of Susie Salmon, the protagonist who’s murdered by a serial killer early in the story and narrates the fallout from heaven. — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Aug. 2026 She was tailed by her American lover Brad, who proceeded, as was his wont, to narrate the scene in singsong English. — Literary Hub, 3 Aug. 2026 Along the route, the captain also narrates details about Casco Bay’s history, the islands’ year-round communities, and the landmarks outside the windows. — Taryn Shorr-McKee, Travel + Leisure, 2 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 6 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

More from Merriam-Webster on narrate

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