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

There are narrated tractor wagon rides giving tours around the fields along with attractions such as the Artist’s Garden, Sweet Pea Maze and Santa’s Playground, along with blueberry picking on certain days. —Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026

The series, narrated and executive produced by former NCIS star Mark Harmon, follows a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Austin Stowell) in the early ‘90s, years prior to the events of NCIS. —Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 25 Feb. 2026

Having mostly lost his voice, Kilmer’s son Jack narrates the film in his father’s words. —Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Feb. 2026

Andrii Onopriienko, who lost his sight in a Russian artillery strike near Avdiivka, in the Donetsk region, in 2023, narrated much of the performance in a deep, resonant voice. —ABC News, 21 Feb. 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