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narrative

Adjective[C/U] Both
pl: narratives

This word carries a dual energy. In a literary or legal sense, it describes the sequential unfolding of events, emphasizing the order and detail of a report. It is more formal and structured than a simple story, implying a cohesive thread that ties events together. In social and political contexts, the word has evolved to describe a psychological frame or a strategic perspective. Here, it refers to the selective emphasis of certain facts to create a specific impression, often suggesting a level of manipulation or intentional curation of truth to influence an audience.

Countable when referring to a specific story or a distinct political framing. Uncountable when referring to the general quality of storytelling or the act of narration.

💬Conversación Casual

🎬Tuesday afternoon, David is frantically typing from his car in the office parking lot.
David Smith

I'm just tweaking the narrative to pivot away from the Q3 dip.

David Smith
Victoria
Victoria

Cut the fluff, David. Just send me the actual numbers.

💡
David uses 'narrative' in a corporate sense to mean a curated explanation intended to hide failure. Victoria's response 'cut the fluff' is an idiom meaning to remove unnecessary or deceptive language to get to the core facts, highlighting their power dynamic.

Meanings

Noun
[a spoken or written account]

A spoken or written account of connected events; a story.

"The witness provided a detailed narrative of the events leading up to the accident."

Noun
[a framing of events]

A particular way of explaining or understanding a situation, often used to shape public perception.

"The political campaign worked hard to shift the narrative from economic failure to future growth."

Adjective
[story-based]

Consisting of or characterized by the telling of a story.

"The author uses a non-linear narrative structure to build suspense."

Last Updated: May 26, 2026Report an Error