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 Word Forms

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

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Word 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.

Joe Goldberg has maintained the status quo of his original inner narrative, learning nothing, changing nothing.

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“That’s the narrative you grow up with, it’s what they teach you in school. We’ve been victims of the United States forever.”

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Caldwell’s narrative was pure victimhood: He argued that his Pentagon tenure threatened “established interests,” and he dismissed leak accusations.

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Hoffman has done a marvelous job of reading through Aimee’s voluminous, florid writings and creating a narrative that works for the modern ear.

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But it’s leagues more narratively expansive and honest — and more personally galvanizing — now that I feel like a background extra in Lucas’ universe.

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narrative

noun

adjective

noun

adjective

Derived Forms

Other Word Forms

Word History and Origins

Synonym Study

Example Sentences

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