commentary

noun

com·​men·​tary ˈkä-mən-ˌter-ē 

-ˌte-rē

plural commentaries

1

a

: an explanatory treatise

—usually used in plural

Blackstone's Commentaries on the Laws of England

b

: a record of events usually written by a participant

—usually used in plural

Caesar's Commentaries on the Gallic War

2

a

: a systematic series of explanations or interpretations (as of a writing)

a commentary on Dante's Divine Comedy

b

: comment sense 2

3

a

: something that serves for illustration or explanation

The dark, airless apartments and sunless factories … are a sad commentary upon our civilization.

—Harry Allen Overstreet

b

: an expression of opinion

The magazine article is a commentary on cyberbullying.

Synonyms

• analysis
• comment
• exposition
• play-by-play

Examples of commentary in a Sentence

The television show features political commentary by well-known journalists.

The magazine includes humor and social commentary.

The book is a commentary on her experiences abroad.

I like listening to his social commentaries.

He provided commentary during the game.

The major television stations provided running commentaries on the election results.

Recent Examples on the Web

This season’s roster represents a bold step forward in fostering creativity and cultural commentary, reaffirming the program’s dedication to empowering artists to tell stories that challenge, inspire, and connect. —Okla Jones, Essence, 13 Dec. 2024

Kumar Sangakkara was needed in the middle rather than in the commentary box. —Tim Ellis, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024

Giovanni’s ability to hold on to this perspective, and marry it with a distinct flair for the fantastical, imbued her poems and social commentary with a youthful curiosity well into her final years. —Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 11 Dec. 2024

Ian Eagle will be the play-by-play commentator, and Nate Burleson and JJ Watt will provide color commentary. —Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 11 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see comment entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

commentary

noun

com·​men·​tary ˈkäm-ən-ˌter-ē 

plural commentaries

: a series of comments or notes

also : a book made up of such material

—usually used in plural