# commentator

/ˈkɑmənˌteɪtɝ/ (US) · /kˈɒməntˌeɪtɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/commentator
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. sports/events

noun · CEFR B2

someone who describes a live event, like a football match, for people watching or listening.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. news/politics

noun · CEFR B2 · Academic

an expert who gives their opinion and explains news or political events to the public.

For teachers: a person who provides systematic analysis or opinion on a particular subject, often in the media.

- 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.

### 3. legal/historical

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal · Technical

a scholar who writes explanations and notes about old laws or books.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The sports commentator explains every play during the game.
- A political commentator was invited to the studio to discuss the potential impact of the new law.
- While the play-by-play announcer describes the immediate action, the color commentator provides the historical context and tactical analysis that seasoned viewers expect.

---

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.