commentary

noun

com·​men·​tary ˈkä-mən-ˌter-ē 

-ˌte-rē

plural commentaries

1

a

: an explanatory treatise

—usually plural

Blackstone's Commentaries on the Laws of England

b

: a record of events usually written by a participant

—usually 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.

—H. A. Overstreet

b

: an expression of opinion

The magazine article is a commentary on cyberbullying.

Synonyms of commentary

• comment
• analysis
• observation

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

On Friday, markets will get more details about that decision with commentary from Fed Governor Michelle Bowman and Kansas City Fed President Jeffrey Schmid. — Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 18 Sep. 2026

The film’s feminist commentary feels dated and obvious, especially in regards to the obvious sexism of the Catholic church and its teachings on gender relations. — Jourdain Searles, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2026

Although these varied flavors don’t always mix perfectly, this thriller offers plenty of old-fashioned chills amid sobering social commentary. — Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026

Layered within its experimental form is a commentary on immigration and 21st century America, as the family regularly encounters Latinx migrants whose own families have been disrupted by the indifference of American immigration policies. — Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see comment entry 1

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for commentary

• accessary
• adversary
• ancillary
• apiary
• arbitrary
• aviary
• axillary
• bacillary
• beriberi
• bestiary
• breviary
• budgetary

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