English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
noun B2 Upper-Intermediate Common

narrator

nuh-RAY-tuh

Narrator (noun) means a person who tells a story, or whose voice or perspective is used to tell it. Example: “The narrator of the novel is a child who doesn't fully understand what she's witnessing.”

noun
1
A person who tells a story, or whose voice or perspective is used to tell it.
"The narrator of the novel is a child who doesn't fully understand what she's witnessing."
"A famous actor served as the narrator for the nature documentary."

How to Use Narrator

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe person telling the story, whether in a book, film, or documentary.

Common pairings
unreliable narrator first-person narrator

Word Forms

narrators plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “narrator” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The _____ of the novel is a child who doesn't fully understand what she's witnessing.

Etymology

From "narrate" plus the agent suffix "-or", mirroring the Latin narrator.

Origin: Latin

Related Words

Rhymes for narrator

See all rhymes for narrator →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “narrator” mean?

The word “narrator” means a person who tells a story, or whose voice or perspective is used to tell it. In plain terms, the person telling the story, whether in a book, film, or documentary.

How do you pronounce “narrator”?

“Narrator” is pronounced nuh-RAY-tuh (/ˈnæˌɹeɪ.təɹ/ in IPA).

How do you use “narrator” in a sentence?

Here is “narrator” used in a sentence: “The narrator of the novel is a child who doesn't fully understand what she's witnessing.”

What part of speech is “narrator”?

“Narrator” is a noun.

Where does the word “narrator” come from?

The word “narrator” comes from Latin. From "narrate" plus the agent suffix "-or", mirroring the Latin narrator.

Is “narrator” a common word?

“Narrator” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

What is the difference between a narrator and an author?

A narrator is the person, character, or voice used to tell a story, while an author is the actual writer who creates the work. The narrator can be a fictional character within a story, whereas the author exists outside it.

What is the difference between a narrator and a protagonist?

A narrator is whoever tells the story or provides its perspective, while a protagonist is the main character the story is about. A narrator can be the protagonist, a secondary character, or an entirely separate voice, such as in third-person narration.

Is a narrator always a person?

A narrator is typically described as a person who tells a story, but the term is also used more broadly for any voice or perspective used to tell it, including a disembodied or unnamed narrative voice in film or literature.

People Also Searched

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial