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 �y��vlogs From

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

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�y��vlog 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

His queerness is a welcome afterthought, divergent from a spate of gay homecoming films that hinge their narratives on a character’s struggle to come out or be themselves around their family.

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Progressive media, by contrast, remains trapped in a reactive, defensive posture, often litigating GOP narratives rather than setting its own.

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“If we only published research that aligns with prevailing narratives or avoids controversy, we would be failing in our responsibility as scientists,” Krumholz told me.

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The early performance of the stock is likely being driven by President Trump’s enthusiastic supporters, who are super-served by Newsmax commentators providing a positive narrative for the White House throughout the day.

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Zelensky could use this pressure from the US – echoing Russian narratives – as a pretext, telling voters he had no choice but to hold elections.

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