NARRATIVE Definition & Meaning

View synonyms for

narrative

[ nar-uh-tiv ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a story or account of events, experiences, or the like, whether true or fictitious.
Synonyms: ,
a book, literary work, etc., containing such a story.
the art, technique, or process of narrating, or of telling a story:
Somerset Maugham was a master of narrative.
a story that connects and explains a carefully selected set of supposedly true events, experiences, or the like, intended to support a particular viewpoint or thesis:
to rewrite the prevailing narrative about masculinity; the narrative that our public schools are failing.

adjective

consisting of or being a narrative:
a narrative poem.
of or relating to narration, or the telling of a story:
My English teacher's narrative skill makes characters seem to come to life.
Fine Arts. representing stories or events pictorially or sculpturally: Compare anecdotal ( def 2 ).
narrative painting.

narrative

/ ˈ��æ��ə��ɪ�� /

noun

an account, report, or story, as of events, experiences, etc
the narrative
the part of a literary work that relates events
the process or technique of narrating

adjective

telling a story
a narrative poem
of or relating to narration
narrative art

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Derived Forms

ˈ�Բ��پ��, adverb

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Other 51�Թ� Forms

�Բ��۲�·�پ��·�� adverb
�Դǲ�·�Բ��۲�·�پ�� adjective noun
��i·�Բ��۲�·�پ�� adjective

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of narrative¹

First recorded in 1445–55; from Middle French narratif (adjective and noun), from Late Latin �Բ��ī��ܲ� “narration” (noun), “suitable for narration” (adjective), from �Բ��(�ܲ�) “related, told” (past participle of �Բ�� “to relate, tell, say”) + -ī��ܲ�, adjective suffix; equivalent to narrate ( def ) + -ive ( def )

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Synonym Study

Narrative, account, recital, history are terms for a story of an event or events. Narrative is the general term (for a story long or short; of past, present, or future; factual or imagined; told for any purpose; and with or without much detail). The other three terms apply primarily to factual stories of time already past. An account is usually told informally, often for entertainment, with emphasis on details of action, whether about an incident or a series of happenings. A recital is an extended narrative usually with an informative purpose, emphasizing accuracy and exhaustive details of facts and figures. A history, usually written and at some length, is characterized by a tracing of causes and effects, and by an attempt to estimate, evaluate, and interpret facts.

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

George, who turned 19 in February, is disrupting that typical 'Chelsea' narrative thanks to a level of dedication unusual even in this era of academised youth development.

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On Wednesday, Belichick shared a lengthy statement claiming the segment was deceptively edited to create a "false narrative" and that Hudson was merely repeating terms that were set before for the interview.

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They frequently hung out for hours, talking about Berger’s life and family, their Hollywood dreams and mulling ways to make a narrative film that could feature Berger’s open heart and big dreams.

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Pace bowler Mark Wood is irritated by a "golf, golf, golf" narrative around the England team, but admits they do not help themselves by saying "dumb" things in the media.

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With the rise of Trumpian propaganda and disinformation, this radical conspiracy theory about a deep state and its enemies from within was going viral and eventually became the hegemonic mainstreaming narrative.

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51�Թ�

narrative

noun

adjective

noun

adjective

Derived Forms

Other 51�Թ� Forms

51�Թ� History and Origins

Synonym Study

Example Sentences

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