narrate

1 of 2

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

narrator

2 of 2

noun

nar·​ra·​tor ˈnaˌrātə(r) 

naˈr- -ātə- also ˈneˌ- or neˈr- sometimes nəˈr- or ˈnarət- or ˈnerət-

plural -s

: one that narrates

Synonyms of narrate

Verb

• describe
• tell
• recount
• chronicle
• relate

Examples of narrate in a Sentence

Verb

The author narrates her story in great detail.

a documentary narrated by a famous actor

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

By Robert Petit, narrated by Sandra Hüller and produced by Darren Aronofsky. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 14 June 2026

Yet Soboroff has been narrating his journey, story by story, via a host of platforms for years, some of them decidedly non-traditional. —Brian Steinberg, Variety, 12 June 2026

The video does not have sound, so Harris narrates what happened next. —Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 11 June 2026

Ramsay narrates at the end of the spot. —Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 11 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Latin narratus, past participle of narrare, from Latin gnarus knowing; akin to Latin gnoscere, noscere to know — more at know

Noun

Latin, from narratus + -or

First Known Use

Verb

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