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

Example Sentences

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.

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Recent Examples on the Web

The show alternates between group commentary and interviews on issues like anti-Asian violence, politics and pop culture. —Minhae Shim Roth, Good Housekeeping, 24 Mar. 2023

Holland also sent an unsolicited letter of support to Judge Bruce Schroeder, the Wisconsin jurist who drew criticism over his courtroom commentary and unorthodox handling of Rittenhouse’s 2021 murder trial. —Jim Mustian, Fortune, 22 Mar. 2023

Lastly, thoroughly review commentary and proposals submitted by activist investors. —Simone Grimes, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2023

An unconventional commentary on the nature of gaslighting and the ramifications of domestic abuse, The Invisible Man is a gripping sci-fi thriller that keeps viewers guessing up to the very end. —Men's Health, 17 Mar. 2023

Even in his recent promotion of a new graphic novel, his commentary drew controversy. —Ken Makin, The Christian Science Monitor, 16 Mar. 2023

Former Vice President Mike Pence did point to those rising interest rates in his commentary on the crisis, blaming government spending during the Biden administration as a main driver of inflation. —Scott Wong, NBC News, 14 Mar. 2023

The action was streamed online successfully, using radio frequency transmission and satellite hookups from the field and commentary and graphics from California. —Matt Ruby, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2023

Editor’s note: The Padres declined to write a commentary on this issue. —Alex Montoyacommunity Voices Contributor, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2023

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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