Synonyms in Detail: narrate and describe Usage & Differences

What context can I use each word in?

Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!

narrate

Example

She narrated the story of her childhood to the audience. [narrated: past tense]

Example

The audiobook was narrated by a famous actor. [narrated: verb]

describe

Example

Can you describe the suspect's appearance to the police? [describe: verb]

Example

The author described the setting of the story in great detail. [described: past tense]

Good things to know

Which word is more common?

Describe is more commonly used than narrate in everyday language. Describe is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while narrate is less common and refers specifically to storytelling or recounting events.

What’s the difference in the tone of formality between narrate and describe?

While narrate is typically associated with a more formal or literary tone, describe can be used in both formal and informal contexts, allowing it to be used in various formality levels.

This content was generated with the assistance of AI technology based on RedKiwi's unique learning data. By utilizing automated AI content, we can quickly deliver a wide range of highly accurate content to users. Experience the benefits of AI by having your questions answered and receiving reliable information!