WordGarden.ioretell
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /rɪtˈɛl/
US
- /riˈtɛl/
Meanings
Verb
to tell a story, event, or information again, often in one's own words
Beyond the definition
We all love stories, right? To retell a story is not just to repeat it. It is to bring it to life again and share it with someone else. Maybe you retell a funny thing that happened during your day to make your friend laugh, or perhaps a grandparent retells a family tale for the hundredth time. It means taking something that already happened and telling it again in words. You might retell an event from history in class, or simply retell what you watched on TV. The key is sharing the story in your own way.
To retell something means to narrate or recount it again, often in your own words. It's more than simply repeating information; it involves reconstructing a story, event, or experience and sharing it with an audience. Think about sitting around a campfire – someone might retell a spooky legend, adding their own dramatic flair each time.
Retelling is crucial for learning and communication. Children learn by retelling stories they've heard, solidifying their understanding of the plot and characters. Historians retell events from the past based on evidence and interpretation. Journalists retell current affairs to inform the public. Even in everyday conversation, we constantly retell parts of our day to connect with others.
The act of retelling can also be a creative process. You might simplify a complex story for a younger audience, or emphasize certain details to create a specific effect. It's about taking existing information and shaping it into a new narrative experience. So next time someone asks you "What happened?" remember – you're being asked to retell the tale!
Examples
- 1
Travel story
After the trip, Maya retold the whole story to her friends over dinner.
- 2
Exam task
In the exam, you may be asked to retell the passage in your own words.
- Phrasein your own words
using your own way of saying it, not copying
- 3
Repeated joke
He kept retelling the joke, but it got less funny each time.
- 4
Myth adaptation
The film retells the myth from the daughter's point of view.
- Patternfrom someone's point of view
from that person's perspective
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Meeting recap
I don't need every detail; just retell what happened after the meeting.
- 6
Family stories
Family stories often change a little each time they are retold.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
- paraphrase
- summarize
- reimagine
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- retell a story
- retell a tale
- retell in your own words
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- retellverb
Forms
- retelling-ing formverb
- retoldpast tensepast participleverb
- retellsverb