narrative

[nar-uh-tiv]

noun

1. a story or account of events, experiences, or the like, whether true or fictitious.

   Synonyms: tale, chronicle

2. a book, literary work, etc., containing such a story.

3. the art, technique, or process of narrating, or of telling a story.

   Somerset Maugham was a master of narrative.

4. 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

1. consisting of or being a narrative.

   a narrative poem.

2. of or relating to narration, or the telling of a story.

   My English teacher's narrative skill makes characters seem to come to life.

3. Fine Arts.,  representing stories or events pictorially or sculpturally.

   narrative painting.

narrative

/ ˈnærətɪv /

noun

1. an account, report, or story, as of events, experiences, etc

2. the part of a literary work that relates events

3. the process or technique of narrating

adjective

1. telling a story

   a narrative poem

2. of or relating to narration

   narrative art

Other Word Forms

• narratively adverb
• nonnarrative adjective
• seminarrative adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of narrative¹

First recorded in 1445–55; from Middle French narratif (adjective and noun), from Late Latin narrātīvus “narration” (noun), “suitable for narration” (adjective), from narrāt(us) “related, told” (past participle of narrāre “to relate, tell, say”) + -īvus, adjective suffix; equivalent to narrate ( def. ) + -ive ( def. )

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.

Example Sentences

Sweeney’s impeccable screenplay accounts for these seemingly inadvertent details to later bloom into meaningful narrative payoffs.

From Los Angeles Times

They’re a captivating trio that one wishes had been given more challenging connective tissue than the loose narrative grid of “Love, Brooklyn.”

From Los Angeles Times

The only way he will address any issue is if he can control the narrative and the questions.

From Salon

Until now, “there’s never been much opposition, really” to the narrative of the Californios’ decline, Chavez-Garcia said, calling it “foundational” to the state’s mythology.

From Los Angeles Times

And yet Levy's painstaking negotiating style - ruthless and determined to get the best deal - has been a constant narrative used against him during his time as chairman.

From BBC

Related Words

• account 
• anecdote 
• book 
• chronicle 
• chronology 
• description 
• detail 
• fiction 
• history 
• narration 
• plot 
• version