WordGarden.ionarrative
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /nˈærətˌɪv/
US
- /ˈnærətɪv/
Meanings
Noun
a story or account of connected events
an explanatory storyline or framing used to present events or issues
Adjective
relating to narration or the telling of a story
Beyond the definition
A narrative is not just any story; it is the way events are told. Think of it as the shape a story takes as someone arranges events, adds details, and guides your attention. Every time you tell a friend about your day, you create one. It appears in novels, films, history books, news reports, and everyday conversation. Sometimes "narrative" means the story itself or the account of events. Other times, it points to the method of telling, such as the order, voice, or point of view. It can also be an adjective, as in "narrative poem" or "narrative style," meaning something that tells or presents a story.
The word "narrative" comes from the Latin narrare, meaning "to tell." At its core, a narrative is an account of connected events: a story, a retelling, or a shaped version of what happened. But it is more than a plain list of facts. It is about how those events are arranged and presented so they form a meaningful whole.
This word appears in many settings. A novel or short story is clearly one, but so is a memoir, a historical account, a journalist's report, or a personal anecdote shared with friends. A company might build a "brand narrative" to shape how people see it. In politics and the media, people often talk about competing narratives, meaning different ways of framing the same facts or events in order to influence how they are understood.
The power of a narrative lies in its ability to create meaning and stir emotion. A well-built one can persuade, inspire, explain, or simply entertain. It is not just what is said, but how it is said that matters. Compare "He walked into the room" with "He stormed into the room, his face full of anger." Both describe the same action, but the second creates a much stronger sense of character and mood.
In literary study, "narrative" often refers to the features that shape a story: point of view, plot structure, pacing, voice, and the relation between events. As an adjective, it describes works or techniques that tell a story, such as narrative writing, narrative painting, or narrative poetry. In broader use, it can also mean a shared version of events or an interpretive frame, especially in public discussion. So whether you are reading a gripping novel, listening to a friend's account, or examining the language of public debate, this word is always tied to one central idea: events do not simply happen on the page or in speech; they are told in a way that shapes understanding.
Examples
- 1
Film plot
The film's narrative is easy to follow, even with several flashbacks.
- 2
First-person story
In the first-person narrative, we only know what Maya sees and feels.
- Phrasefirst-person narrative
a story told using "I"
- 3
Personal writing
Students wrote a short personal narrative about a turning point in their lives.
- 4
News article
The article combines statistics with a clear narrative about how the town changed.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Public perception
After the scandal, the company tried to change the narrative around the decision.
- Phrasechange the narrative
change how people understand or talk about something
- 6
Media framing
His comments fit the media narrative that the team was falling apart.
- Phrasefit the narrative
support the story or explanation people already believe
- 7
Public story
The dominant narrative about the neighborhood ignores the people who have lived there for decades.
- Phrasedominant narrative
the most common or powerful public story about something
- 8
Story structure
The book is strong on atmosphere but weak in narrative structure.
- Phrasenarrative structure
the way the events of a story are organized
See also
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- narrativenounadjective
Forms
- narrativespluralnounadjective