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Meaning & use

commentary

noun·Academic

Last updated

UK/ˈkɒməntri/
US/ˈkɑːmənteri/

Meanings

  1. nouncountable or uncountable

    A spoken description of an event as it happens, such as the talk that accompanies a sports broadcast.

    Grammar: Often uncountable: the commentary was excellent; a countable use is a running commentary.

    Patterns

    • commentary on something
    • live commentary

    The radio commentary made the final lap feel even more thrilling.

    She did the commentary for the whole tournament.

    We turned the sound down and ignored the commentary.

  2. nouncountable or uncountable

    A set of written or spoken remarks that explain, discuss, or give opinions about a subject, text, or issue.

    Grammar: Followed by on or about: a commentary on modern life.

    Patterns

    • commentary on something
    • a commentary about something
    • social commentary

    The novel is a sharp commentary on life in a small town.

    The newspaper runs a daily commentary on the election.

    Each chapter includes a short commentary by the editor.

  3. nouncountablespecialist

    A book or section that explains the meaning of a text, especially a religious or legal one, passage by passage.

    Grammar: Takes a plural: several commentaries on the same text.

    Patterns

    • a commentary on something

    The scholar published a commentary on the ancient poem.

    Students often read a legal commentary alongside the statute.

    This Bible commentary explains the historical background of each book.

Word forms

pluralcommentaries

Common combinations

live commentary
The channel offers live commentary in three languages.
social commentary
Her songs are full of gentle social commentary.
provide commentary
A historian will provide commentary during the film.
running commentary
My brother kept up a running commentary throughout the movie.
political commentary
He is known for his witty political commentary.
a sad commentary on
The empty library is a sad commentary on the town's priorities.

Synonyms and how they differ

analysis
Analysis suggests a careful breakdown of facts, while commentary may be looser and more personal.
narration
Narration tells a story or events in order, whereas commentary adds opinion and explanation.
remarks
Remarks are shorter and less organized than a commentary, which usually forms a connected whole.
critique
A critique judges strengths and weaknesses, while commentary may simply explain or react.

Word family

commentator noun
a person who gives commentary
comment noun
a single remark or opinion
comment verb
to give an opinion about something
commentate verb
to provide spoken commentary, especially on sport

Commonly confused: commentary or comment?

commentary vs comment

A comment is one remark. Commentary is a longer, continuous set of remarks and is usually uncountable.

Practice

The film is a sharp ___ on how people use social media.

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