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

Jean Shepherd, who wrote and narrated the film, was a DJ on WCKY-AM, WSAI-AM, WKRC-AM and WLW radio (1947-54). —Jeff Suess, Cincinnati Enquirer, 14 Dec. 2025

Adapting a memoir as creatively narrated as Lidia Yuknavitch’s The Chronology of Water is no small feat, but Kristen Stewart proved herself more than capable with her recent directorial debut. —Emma Specter, Vogue, 13 Dec. 2025

One of the main focal points of the documentary, narrated by Neeson, is potential problems with vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccine. —Emily Trainham, FOXNews.com, 12 Dec. 2025

The essay moves through three parts, from an opening scene of conflict to a middle section that narrates how Didion gradually grew to distrust police, and onto a last section that reflects on the crumbling of police authority and credibility. —Literary Hub, 9 Dec. 2025

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