# commentating

/kˈɒməntˌeɪtɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/commentating
Updated: 2026-10-18

## Definition

to describe a live event out loud as it happens, like a football game on TV. You do it to help people who are watching or listening follow the action.

For teachers: to provide a live spoken account of an event, especially a sports match or broadcast, as it unfolds. Often implies continuous narration for a remote audience.

## Examples

- She is commentating on the football match tonight.
- He is commentating on the final race while thousands of fans listen to the live stream.
- Having spent years commentating on international tournaments, she could capture both the tactical detail and the emotion of the crowd in a single sentence.

## Usage notes

- Takes the preposition 'on' before the event described ('commentating on the match').

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.