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 of narrate

• describe
• tell
• recount
• chronicle
• relate

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

It’s narrated by seventh grader Adam, whose world is turning upside down both at home and at school. — Literary Hub, 2 Nov. 2026

The documentary is an exploration of the birth of a cultural phenomenon, narrated by Sean Penn and featuring old-school skating footage, a blistering soundtrack, and interviews with Tony Alva, Jay Adams, and Tony Hawk. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2026

An exploration of the birth of a cultural phenomenon, narrated by Sean Penn and featuring old-school skating footage, a blistering soundtrack, and interviews with Tony Alva, Jay Adams, and Tony Hawk. — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 28 Oct. 2026

This poetic début novel, a finalist for the Booker Prize, is narrated largely by an unnamed curator who specializes in reconstructing scenes from the past. — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026

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

Rhymes for narrate

• abate
• airfreight
• await
• baseplate
• berate
• birthdate
• birthrate
• bookplate
• borate
• breastplate
• bromate
• casemate

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