Word
Definitions
01sports/events
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Sports
n. someone who describes a live event, like a football match, for people watching or listening.
n. a broadcaster who provides a live, spoken description of an event as it unfolds.
“The sports commentator got very excited when the player scored a goal in the final minute.”
“The veteran commentator provided a seamless play-by-play account of the match, balancing technical analysis with the raw emotion of the stadium atmosphere.”
02news/politics
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Academic
n. an expert who gives their opinion and explains news or political events to the public.
n. a person who provides systematic analysis or opinion on a particular subject, often in the media.
日本語:コメンテーター※
“She is a well-known political commentator who often appears on the evening news.”
“Social commentators have noted that the shift in public discourse is largely driven by the rapid expansion of digital media platforms.”
03legal/historical
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Law Formal · Technical
n. a scholar who writes explanations and notes about old laws or books.
n. a scholar who writes a series of explanatory notes or a detailed treatise on a specific text or legal code.
“The student studied the writings of a famous legal commentator from the 18th century.”
“The medieval commentator provided extensive glosses on the margins of the manuscript to clarify the complex theological arguments within the main text.”
Usage
Often refers to historical figures like Blackstone in English law.
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “commentator” in context.
Verb
01. act as a commentator
“The former prime minister will act as a guest commentator during the election night broadcast.”
verb + prep + adj + noun
Adjective
02. astute commentator
“As an astute commentator on global affairs, she predicted the market crash months in advance.”
adj + noun
03. outspoken commentator
“The outspoken commentator was frequently invited to talk shows for his controversial views.”
adj + noun
04. seasoned commentator
“The network hired a seasoned commentator to provide depth to their Olympic coverage.”
adj + noun
Noun
05. commentator noted that-clause
“The commentator noted that the team's defense had significantly improved since the last season.”
noun + verb
06. political commentator
“He transitioned from a career in law to becoming a leading political commentator for the BBC.”
noun + noun
07. sports commentator
“The sports commentator lost his voice during the excitement of the final goal.”
noun + noun
Real-World Examples
“But since coming out as non-binary in 2017, the British singer has frequently been attacked and vilified by rightwing commentators.” “For years, commentators have asked whether Argos could build a business to take on Amazon, the biggest online seller in the UK.” “Carol was an excellent commentator on poetry, shrewd and deep-thinking but able to express her thoughts in plain English rather than academic jargon.” “Retold by fans, journalists and commentators, the stories shaped expectations about what might happen next.” Etymology
In form, from Middle English commentator, from Latin commentātor (“author, inventor, interpreter, jailer”), from commentātus + -or (“-er: forming agent nouns”), from commentāri (“to ponder, to study, to write upon”), from comminīscor (“to think over, to invent”) + -tārī (“to frequently be ~ed”). In meaning, influenced by comment and commentary. By surface analysis, comment + -ator.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/commentator
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「日本語」「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0