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narrative

NAR-uh-tiv /ˈnærətɪv/

nounadjectiveB2SATGRETOEFLIELTS

neutralformal

(noun) A spoken or written account of connected events; a story. (adjective) Characterized by or relating to narration.

In visual media, it refers to the story or sequence of events conveyed by images, either explicitly (like in a film) or implicitly (a single photo suggesting a story). It implies a progression or unfolding of meaning.

The story behind the word. 'Narrative' comes from the Latin 'narrare,' meaning 'to tell' or 'to relate,' which itself is related to 'gnarus,' meaning 'knowing.' So, a narrative is essentially a 'telling' or 'making known' of events. It's about sharing knowledge or experience through a structured account.

Word relationships

story: More common and general; 'narrative' often implies a more structured or analytical approach to storytelling.
account: Can be more factual and less embellished than a narrative.
tale: Often implies a fictional or traditional story.

disjointed facts: Lacks the connected, sequential nature of a narrative.
random observations: Without a unifying story.

Word family

narrate (verb): To tell a story or give an account of something.
narrator (noun): A person who narrates something, especially a character who recounts the events of a novel or film.
narration (noun): The action or process of narrating a story.

Collocations

compelling narrative
historical narrative
personal narrative
dominant narrative

Example sentences

"The film's narrative was complex, weaving together multiple timelines and character perspectives." Discussing storytelling in film.
"Even without captions, the series of photographs created a powerful narrative about the changing seasons." Analyzing a series of photographs.

Memory hook

Think of a 'NARRATOR' telling a 'NARRATIVE' story. Story told

When not to use

Do not use 'narrative' for a simple list of facts or disconnected observations without a sense of story or progression.

Fun facts

Humans are often described as 'storytelling animals' because of our innate drive to create and understand narratives.
Narratives are crucial not just in fiction, but also in history, science, and even personal identity.