narrative
Narrative (noun) means a spoken or written account of connected events; a story. Example: “The novel weaves together three separate narratives.”
How to use narrative
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA story, or the way a story or set of events is told and framed.
In modern usage "narrative" often means a persuasive framing of events (e.g. "the official narrative"), not just a plain story.
Word forms
more narrative comparative, narratives plural, most narrative superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The novel weaves together three separate _____.
Etymology
From Middle French narratif, from Latin narrativus, ultimately from narrare, "to narrate".
Related words
Rhymes for narrative
See all rhymes for narrative →Frequently asked questions
What does “narrative” mean?
The word “narrative” means a spoken or written account of connected events; a story. In plain terms, a story, or the way a story or set of events is told and framed.
How do you pronounce “narrative”?
“Narrative” is pronounced NAR-uh-tihv (/ˈnæɹ.ə.tɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “narrative” in a sentence?
Here is “narrative” used in a sentence: “The novel weaves together three separate narratives.”
What part of speech is “narrative”?
Depending on how it is used, “narrative” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “narrative” come from?
The word “narrative” comes from Latin. From Middle French narratif, from Latin narrativus, ultimately from narrare, "to narrate".
Is “narrative” a common word?
“Narrative” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “narrative” have?
“Narrative” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a spoken or written account of connected events; a story.
What is the difference between narrative and story?
Both refer to an account of connected events, but "story" is the everyday word while "narrative" is more formal and emphasises how the events are connected and presented. "Narrative" is preferred in academic, literary, and journalistic contexts, and it can also refer to the framing of real events rather than fiction.
What is the difference between narrative and narration?
A narrative is the account or story itself, the connected sequence of events. Narration is the act or process of telling it, and in film and television it also names the voiceover that tells the story. So a novel contains a narrative, delivered through its narration.
When is narrative used as an adjective?
As an adjective, "narrative" means relating to storytelling or having the form of a story. It appears in phrases such as narrative structure, narrative poem, narrative arc, and narrative nonfiction, all describing works or techniques built around telling a story.
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