What does narrating mean?
Narrating is the present participle and gerund of narrate, meaning to tell or recount a story or give an account of events. It is commonly used when someone describes a sequence of experiences in speech or writing, as in a documentary, biography, travel account, or personal recollection. The word can also refer to speaking or explaining what is happening around you, especially in real time: a guide might narrate the history of a building while leading visitors through it. In general, narrating implies organization and continuity, presenting events in an ordered or connected way rather than merely mentioning isolated details. It can be neutral and factual, as in historical or journalistic reporting, or more expressive and dramatic when a vivid or subjective account is intended. The related noun narration refers to the account itself, while a narrator is the person who tells it.
verbTo tell a story or recount events, especially in a detailed or spoken way. As a present participle, it can also mean speaking or describing something while an event or activity is taking place.
- To tell or recount a story, series of events, or personal experience in a spoken or written account.
- To describe or explain what is happening as it occurs, especially in a detailed or expressive manner.
"She spent the evening narrating the events leading up to her discovery."
"The documentary narrates the lives of communities affected by the flood."
"He kept narrating the tour through the ruins, pointing out details that the visitors had missed."
From the Latin narrare, meaning “to tell” or “to relate,” narrating is a direct descendant of one of the great storytelling roots that shaped English literature and journalism.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does narrating come from?
The word narrate comes through French narrer from the Latin narrare, meaning “to tell” or “to relate.” Latin also supplied related forms such as narratio, a telling or account, and narrator, a person who relates or tells. These forms developed into the English family that includes narrating, narrative, narration, and narrator.
Related word forms
How narrating is actually used
In its storytelling sense, narrating usually suggests giving a connected account of events. When used for describing an unfolding scene, it can suggest continuous, vivid, or sometimes overly detailed commentary.