How to pronounce narrative
Say it like NAR-uh-tiv. Narrative has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (NAR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce narrative. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- NAR
- uh
- tiv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Narrative pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- NARSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- tivKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of narrative
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: NAR-uh-tiv.
Other ways to say narrative
Narrative also has this pronunciation, usually with a different meaning or use:
- NER-uh-tiv /ˈnɛrətɪv/
What does narrative mean?
- a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program“his narrative was interesting”“Disney's stories entertain adults as well as children”
- consisting of or characterized by the telling of a story“narrative poetry”
Where does narrative come from?
Borrowed from Middle Scots narrative, nerrative, from Middle French narratif, from Latin narrātīvus, from narrō (“to narrate”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying narrative
How do you pronounce narrative?
Say NAR-uh-tiv. The American pronunciation is /ˈnærətɪv/. In British English it is /ˈnærətɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in narrative?
Narrative has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (NAR). Broken into parts: NAR · uh · tiv.
Is narrative pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /ˈnærətɪv/ (NAR-uh-tiv).