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Meaning & use

narrative

noun·Academic

Last updated

UK/ˈnærətɪv/
US/ˈnærətɪv/

Meanings

  1. nouncountable

    A spoken or written account of connected events; a story and the way it is arranged.

    Grammar: Countable; plural narratives for different stories or versions.

    Patterns

    • personal narrative
    • narrative voice
    • shift the narrative

    The book presents a narrative of migration through three families.

    A clear narrative helps readers understand why the events matter.

  2. nouncountablefigurative

    A persuasive framing of events, especially the version promoted in politics, media, or public debate.

    Grammar: Countable and figurative; often follows control, shape, challenge, or change.

    Patterns

    • control the narrative
    • media narrative
    • challenge a narrative

    After the mistake, the company tried to control the narrative with quick facts.

    The campaign built a simple narrative around hope and repair.

Word forms

pluralnarratives

Common combinations

personal narrative
The assignment asked for a personal narrative about learning a skill.
narrative arc
The editor said the memoir needed a clearer narrative arc.
narrative voice
The novel's warm narrative voice makes hard scenes bearable.
control the narrative
The press office wanted to control the narrative after the leak.
shift the narrative
New evidence may shift the narrative about the accident.

Synonyms and how they differ

story
Story is the everyday word for connected events; narrative is more formal and can include structure.
account
Account stresses a report of what happened and may be factual or personal.
storyline
Storyline is the plot line of fiction; narrative is broader and can be public or persuasive.
framing
Framing matches the figurative media sense, not the literal tale.

Word family

narrate verb
To tell a story or give an account of events.
narration noun
The act or style of telling a story.
narrator noun
The person or voice that tells a story.
narrative adjective
Relating to storytelling, as in narrative structure.

Commonly confused: narrative or narration? narrative or narrator?

narrative vs narration

Narration is the process of telling; narrative is the story or account itself.

narrative vs narrator

Narrator is the teller, while narrative is what is told.

Practice

After the scandal, the mayor tried to control the public ___.

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