narrative

noun nar·ra·tive \ ˈner-ə-tiv , ˈna-rə- \

Updated on: 11 Sep 2017

Definition of narrative

1 :something that is narrated :story, account

He is writing a detailed narrative of his life on the island.

2 :the art or practice of narration

… depended not on narrative but on intensity derived from the verity to make the book jump.
—Stanley Kauffmann

3 :the representation in art of an event or story; also :an example of such a representation

the narrative of St. Joan of Arc

—

narratively

adverb

See narrative defined for English-language learners

See narrative defined for kids

Examples of narrative in a Sentence

He is writing a detailed narrative of his life on the island.
People have questioned the accuracy of his narrative.

Recent Examples of narrative from the Web

The army has not taken action against the militants named in the Dawn leaks but has come up with a counter-narrative, suggesting the breach proves that civilians cannot be trusted with state secrets.

— The Economist, "The pushmi-pullyuWhat makes Pakistan so unfathomable," 22 July 2017
The information released Tuesday is the first narrative released by the BCA since Saturday night's shooting.

— amy forliti, chicagotribune.com, "Officials: Australian woman shot after cops heard loud sound," 18 July 2017
The presence of Mr. Akhmetshin adds another development to the evolving narrative about the gathering, which Donald Trump Jr. arranged after learning that a Russian lawyer claimed to have damaging information about Hillary Clinton.

— eileen sullivan, kenneth p. vogel, adam goldman and jo becker, New York Times, "Russian-American Lobbyist Attended Meeting Organized by Trump’s Son," 14 July 2017
What became known as The Downtowner opened first in 1954 as Nolan's Cocktail Lounge, then three years later into Sam Meyer's Downtowner and in 1969 simply The Downtowner, according to Fosl's narrative.

— andrew henderson, The Courier-Journal, "LGBT history 'reclaimed' in historic Louisville properties," 30 June 2017
Yet the CBO's work has become central in the debate over repealing and replacing Obamacare as both Democrats and Republicans seek for its projections to support their own health-care narrative.

— paige winfield cunningham, Washington Post, "The Health 202: The CBO is caught in a health-care tug of war," 30 June 2017
The pigs are raised in arable bliss by doting artisanal farmers (a marketing narrative orchestrated to sell consumers on the Frankenswine).

— emily poenisch, Esquire, "Okja Director Bong Joon Ho Says Working With Tilda Swinton Gives Him 'Nuclear Power'," 29 June 2017
Unfortunately, by 11th grade a compelling narrative is what attracts an admissions officer’s attention.

— yishai schwartz, Town & Country, "For Parents Willing to Pay Thousands, College Counselors Promise to Make Ivy League Dreams a Reality," 28 June 2017
Faisal was referring not to excellence in scholarship or character but to the skill of self-narrative.

— yishai schwartz, Town & Country, "For Parents Willing to Pay Thousands, College Counselors Promise to Make Ivy League Dreams a Reality," 28 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'narrative.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of narrative

1567

narrative Synonyms

Synonyms

chronicle, chronology, commentary (usually commentaries), history, narration, account, record, report, story

Related Words

version; deposition, documentation, testament, testimonial, testimony, witness; annals, blog, diary, journal, log, logbook, memoir; minutes, procès-verbal; anecdote, tale, yarn; epic, saga; gest (or geste), romance; recital, recitation; case history, case study

narrative

adjective

Definition of narrative

1 :having the form of a story or representing a story

a narrative poem

narrative paintings

2 :of or relating to the process of telling a story

the author's narrative style

the novel's narrative structure

See narrative defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of narrative from the Web

Writer-director Matt Ruskin splits the movie into narrative streams — Warner’s deterioration of spirit in prison, and King’s relentless efforts to raise money for appeals, coupled with his own decisive investigation into the murder.

— gary thompson, Philly.com, "'Crown Heights': Nnamdi Asomugha stars in this quiet crusade for justice," 30 Aug. 2017
Football, more than most team sports, relies on a near ritualistic buildup between games to sell its story, and its narrative demands a lead actor.

— shawn windsor, Detroit Free Press, "Patriots QB Tom Brady is the ageless protagonist who's easy to hate," 25 Aug. 2017
Changing the narrative changes very little, if the narrative is based on reality, because reality is recalcitrant.

— david frum, The Atlantic, "Trump's Speech Can't Change Recalcitrant Realities," 22 Aug. 2017
But this also missed some of the point of a revue that is its own thing and that is now also a concert thing that can be something that goes beyond narrative Broadway and into the meaningfully messy mind of a great artist.

— mark swed, latimes.com, "‘Sondheim on Sondheim’: A Broadway baby in symphonic clothes," 24 July 2017
Articles and prepositions indicate analytical thinking and predict higher grades; pronouns and adverbs indicate narrative thinking and predict lower grades.

— science news staff, Science | AAAS, "AI is changing how we do science. Get a glimpse," 5 July 2017
The anticipation almost overshadows the narrative purpose of the scene.

— christine pivovar, kansascity, "Oh, what a night the ‘Jersey Boys’ give to Starlight Theatre audience," 28 June 2017
There is compromise in all this narrative subtraction, but there is also purpose.

— justin chang, star-telegram, "The Civil War-set ‘The Beguiled’ patiently weaves an intoxicating spell," 28 June 2017
Frankel is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and New York Times bestselling author, and his narrative precision and skills as a storyteller are on full display in his latest book.

— bob kustra and the reader’s corner team, idahostatesman, "Reader’s Corner: How Hollywood Communists shaped an iconic film," 23 June 2017

First Known Use of narrative

15th century

NARRATIVE Defined for Kids

narrative

noun nar·ra·tive \ ˈner-ə-tiv \

Definition of narrative for Students

:something (as a story) that is told in full detail

narrative

adjective

Definition of narrative for Students

:having the form of a story

a narrative poem

Learn More about narrative

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for narrative Spanish Central: Translation of narrative Nglish: Translation of narrative for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of narrative for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about narrative

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up narrative? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

narrative

Definition of narrative

narratively

From the M-W Editors

Examples of narrative in a Sentence

Recent Examples of narrative from the Web

First Known Use of narrative

narrative Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

narrative

Definition of narrative

Recent Examples of narrative from the Web

First Known Use of narrative

NARRATIVE Defined for Kids

narrative

Definition of narrative for Students

narrative

Definition of narrative for Students

Learn More about narrative

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

The History of the Word 'Terrorism'

Trending: McCain: Half-Baked, 'Spurious' Nationalism

17 English Words that Come From Japanese

Forms of Government Quiz

Words of the Year: 1066