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

• 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

The feud marks the latest controversy for Rowling, who has doubled down on her anti-trans commentary over the years, creating deep divisions within the Harry Potter fanbase. —Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025

Federal Reserve Pressure Another key factor in the dollar's decline is Trump's unorthodox approach to monetary policy, openly questioning the Federal Reserve's decision-making through commentary and pressure that brings its independence into question. —Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025

This commentary is written on behalf of Maryland’s 24 state’s attorneys. —Ivan J. Bates, Baltimore Sun, 30 June 2025

The tour features a 39-song setlist incorporating country music and cultural commentary. —Caché McClay, USA Today, 28 June 2025

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
• arbitrary
• aviary
• axillary
• beriberi
• breviary
• budgetary
• capillary
• catenary
• cautionary

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