noun
Uncommon
commentator
KO-muhn-tay-tuh
Commentator (noun) means a person who provides live spoken analysis of an event, especially in broadcasting. Example: “The commentator got increasingly excited as the match went to overtime.”
noun
1
A person who provides live spoken analysis of an event, especially in broadcasting.
"The commentator got increasingly excited as the match went to overtime."
"The radio commentator described every pass in such detail that listeners could picture the game."
"A former player works as a commentator for the cycling race on television."
2
A person who writes or speaks analysis and opinion on current events.
"Specifically, and unforgivably, she restarted the Heathrow Third Runway bandwagon, which had been stalled for more than a decade and even declared dead by most commentators."
— Christian Wolmar, Reeves talks of 'growth' but pays lip service to the railway (2025)
"Several political commentators criticized the new policy."
"The newspaper hired a young commentator to write about changes in technology and society."
"As a financial commentator, she explains the week's market news on a weekly podcast."
How to use commentator
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone whose job is to explain or give opinions on events, either live or in writing.
Common pairings
sports commentator
political commentator
guest commentator
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Word forms
- Plural
- commentators
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The _____ got increasingly excited as the match went to overtime.
Etymology
From Latin commentator ("author, interpreter"), related to "comment."
Related words
Rhymes for commentator
See all rhymes for commentator →Frequently asked questions
What does “commentator” mean?
The word “commentator” means a person who provides live spoken analysis of an event, especially in broadcasting. In plain terms, someone whose job is to explain or give opinions on events, either live or in writing.
How do you pronounce “commentator”?
“Commentator” is pronounced KO-muhn-tay-tuh (/ˈkɑmənˌteɪtəɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “commentator” in a sentence?
Here is “commentator” used in a sentence: “The commentator got increasingly excited as the match went to overtime.”
What is another word for “commentator”?
Words with a similar meaning to “commentator” include interpreter.
What part of speech is “commentator”?
“Commentator” is a noun.
Where does the word “commentator” come from?
The word “commentator” comes from Latin. From Latin commentator ("author, interpreter"), related to "comment.".
Is “commentator” a common word?
“Commentator” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “commentator” have?
“Commentator” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who provides live spoken analysis of an event, especially in broadcasting.
What is the difference between a commentator and a reporter?
A commentator provides live spoken analysis and opinion during a broadcast, such as describing the action in a sports match, while a reporter typically gathers and delivers factual news information. A commentator's role centers on interpretation and reaction in the moment, whereas a reporter's role centers on informing the audience of events.
What is the difference between a commentator and a pundit?
A commentator often narrates or analyzes an event as it unfolds, especially in live broadcasting, while a pundit more broadly offers opinion and analysis on current events, not necessarily live or tied to a single broadcast. In practice, the terms overlap, since many television pundits also work as commentators.
Can commentator refer to written analysis, not just spoken broadcasting?
Yes, commentator also describes someone who writes or speaks analysis and opinion on current events, such as a political commentator writing newspaper columns. The word is not limited to live sports or event broadcasting.
