narrate

verb

nar·​rate ˈner-ˌāt How to pronounce narrate (audio)
ˈna-ˌrat,
na-ˈrāt How to pronounce narrate (audio)
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 How to pronounce narrate (audio)
ˈna-ˌrā-
na-ˈrā-
nə-;
ˈner-ə-
ˈna-rə-
noun

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 Julia Roberts will narrate the audiobook of Lisa Marie Presley’s posthumous memoir, From Here to the Great Unknown, it was announced Wednesday. Lexy Perez, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Sep. 2024 The actress, 56, will narrate the audiobook for Lisa Marie Presley’s posthumous memoir, From Here to the Great Unknown, out on Oct. 8 in all formats. Carly Tagen-Dye, Peoplemag, 25 Sep. 2024 As executive producer, Kaepernick also narrates each episode while Jaden Michael plays his younger self and Nick Offerman and Mary Louise Parker portray his adoptive parents. Megan Vick, EW.com, 24 Sep. 2024 Everybody Still Hates Chris features Rock as Adult Chris, narrating stories inspired by his experience growing up as a skinny nerd in a large working-class family in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, during the late 1980s. Peter White, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for narrate 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'narrate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of narrate was in 1656

Dictionary Entries Near narrate

Cite this Entry

“Narrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/narrate. Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

narrate

verb
narrated; narrating
: relate sense 1, tell
narrate a story
narrator
ˈna(ə)r-ˌāt-ər How to pronounce narrate (audio)
na-ˈrāt-
nə-;
ˈnar-ət-
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on narrate

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