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

Actress Viola Davis narrated a new campaign video about Harris' mother, Shyamala Gopalan, who raised two daughters after immigrating to the United States at age 19. —Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

Viola Davis narrated a Harris campaign video focusing on the vice president’s mother, Shyamala Gopalan. —Ted Johnson, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2024

Actor Lupita Nyong’o narrates the trip, teaching us about each part of our solar system in turn. —Abbey Stone, SELF, 31 Oct. 2024

In the film, Gillis still narrates—though he’s just been shot dead, like Jay Gatsby, in the pool. —Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 25 Oct. 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