What Does Narrative Mean? | The Word Counter

Kevin
May 18, 2022
Common Questions

What does it mean if something is a narrative or has a narrative structure? This article will define the meaning of narrative.

Have you ever read something that was narrative or that had a narrative structure? This word of the day can be an adjective or a noun, and this article will define both of these definitions.

Keep reading to learn all about the definition of narrative and find example sentences that contain the word narrative, the etymology of the word narrative, synonyms of narrative, and translations of narrative!

What Does Narrative Mean?

Dictionary states that the word narrative is both a noun and an adjective. As a noun, the word narrative refers to a story that follows a sequence of events, as well as any book or literary work that follows that structure. Additionally, narrative can refer to the art of telling such a story.

Secondly, the word narrative is an adjective. Therefore, if something is described as narrative, it has a narrative storytelling structure. The pronunciation of narrative is ˈnærətɪv, and narrative is three syllables: nar-ra-tive.

How Can We Use Narrative in a Sentence?

Narrative is a common word that you might see when discussing works of fiction like plays, books, poems, and scripts. Below, you will find example sentences that contain examples of narrative.

First, see if you can decipher what kind of narrative is described in each of the below sentences. Then, come up with your own sentences that contain the word narrative!

Example #1: The Narrative Poem

The poet told the narrative poem from the first-person point of view. Narrative poetry was new for the author, and she initially came from a playwriting background. However, through poetry, she found more freedom in expressing her emotion.

Question: What kind of narrative is described in the above sentence?

Answer: The narrative in the above sentence is a poem.

Example #2: The Narrative Novel

The novel was a twist on the narrative structure of fairy tales – just when you thought the story was about to wrap up with a perfect ending, the author pushed the protagonist into more turmoil.

Question: What kind of narrative is described in the above sentence?

Answer: The narrative in the above sentence is a novel.

Example #3: The Narrative Painting

The narrative painting was a magnificent work of fine arts. It was so rare to see a painting that told a full-fledged story, and everyone who visited the museum was in awe of it.

Question: What kind of narrative is described in the above sentence?

Answer: The narrative in the above sentence is a painting.

Example #4: The Narrative Script

It took a high level of narrative skill to string together the mystery script’s series of events in a way that was engaging but also made sense to the audience.

Question: What kind of narrative is described in the above sentence?

Answer: The narrative in the above sentence is a script.

Example #5: The Narrative Short Stories

We visited the release party for the author’s new set of third-person narrative style short stories set in New York. The party took place in the middle of Manhattan, just like in the stories.

Question: What kind of narrative is described in the above sentence?

Answer: The narrative in the above sentence is a set of short stories.

What Is the Etymology of Narrative?

The word narrative began its journey in English in the mid-1400s, between 1445 and 1455. This word comes from the Middle French narratif as an adjective and a noun. This French term comes from the Late Latin narrātīvus, which was the stem of narrātus and the perfect participle of narrāre.

What Are Translations of Narrative?

Storytelling is the foundation of so many cultures all over the world. So, it makes sense that many world languages have their own words for narrative!

Below, you will find a list of translations of the word narrative from Nice Translator. To discuss storytelling with people who do not speak English, you can use this list!

How many of the below words look and sound similar to the word narrative?

What Are Synonyms of Narrative?

Narrative is a fairly general term, but there are many types of narratives, including novels, poetry, and more. To learn about words that are similar to the word narrative, you can read the below list of synonyms of narrative from Power Thesaurus.

Which of these are specific examples, and which of these are more general?

Conclusion

The definition of narrative is twofold, as a noun and an adjective. As a noun, the word narrative describes a story that follows a sequence of events, as well as any book or literary work that follows that structure. Narrative is also an adjective used as a descriptor for any story with this structure.

Sources:

Kevin Miller is a growth marketer with an extensive background in Search Engine Optimization, paid acquisition and email marketing. He is also an online editor and writer based out of Los Angeles, CA. He studied at Georgetown University, worked at Google and became infatuated with English Grammar and for years has been diving into the language, demystifying the do's and don'ts for all who share the same passion! He can be found online here.

Recent Posts

Dreams Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

Chutzpah Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

Chutzpah Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

White Roses Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

7777 Angel Number Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It?