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

• 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

The part of Dawson was read by Lin-Manuel Miranda, while his former Hamilton costar Renée Elise Goldsberry narrated and hosted the evening. —Jen Juneau, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2025

Their real-life memories are drawn from sources like letters and diaries and voiced by an all-star cast that includes southeast Michigan’s Jeff Daniels, who narrates the words of Thomas Jefferson. —Julie Hinds, Freep.com, 28 Sep. 2025

There’s also a motion picture in the works with Paramount based on Bob Proehl’s Dragon Day, the Audible Original audiobook of which is narrated by Haley Atwell, Michael Chiklis, Aldis Hodge, Greta Lee, Jimmi Simpson and more. —Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 26 Sep. 2025

Freeman will narrate the evolution of the blues genre, which will be accompanied by historic video footage. —Melonee Hurt, Nashville Tennessean, 25 Sep. 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