English Reference
noun · adjective

narrative

n. · adj.
US /ˈnæɹətɪv/ UK /nˈæɹətˌɪv/ nar·ra·tive UK spelling narrative's, narrative's

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate Academic

    n.a particular way of explaining or understanding a situation or series of events.

    n.a representation of a particular situation or process in such a way as to reflect or conform to an overarching set of aims or values.

    Simple

    The government tried to change the narrative about the economy by focusing on new jobs.

    In context

    Political consultants often attempt to control the media narrative by releasing specific data points that support their candidate's preferred version of events.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate Academic

    adj.relating to the telling of a story.

    adj.consisting of or characterised by the telling of a story. Often used to describe a style of writing or art.

    Simple

    The artist is famous for her narrative paintings that show scenes from history.

    In context

    The poet's narrative style allows the reader to visualise the protagonist's journey through the rural landscape in vivid detail.


Borrowed from Middle Scots narrative, nerrative, from Middle French narratif, from Latin narrātīvus, from narrō (“to narrate”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Latin narrātīvus
Level B1 · Intermediate
Frequency Common
Updated