commentator

noun

USKOM-uhn-tay-tur/ˈkɑmənˌteɪtəɹ/UKKOM-uhn-tay-tuh/ˈkɒmənˌteɪtə/

Pluralcommentators

7 meanings of commentator

Practice

1
nouncountable
Someone who describes a game or event out loud as it happens, for people watching or listening.
Like a friend telling you what is happening in a game while you watch together.
The commentator described every goal as the crowd roared.
Two commentators took turns explaining the race to viewers.
Similarannouncer, broadcaster, sportscaster, caller
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2
nouncountable
Someone who shares their thoughts and views about news and current events.
Like someone who explains the news and tells you what they think about it.
The commentator gave her opinion on the election results.
Political commentators argued late into the night on television.
Similarpundit, analyst, observer, critic, columnist
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3
nouncountable
Someone who gives spoken or written remarks that explain something.
Like a guide who explains things to you as you go along.
The commentator added a few notes to explain the difficult passage.
Several commentators offered their take on the speech.
Similaranalyst, critic, observer, pundit, interpreter
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4
nouncountable
Someone who writes notes that explain and discuss a piece of writing.
Like a teacher who writes helpful notes next to a hard book.
The commentator explained each line of the old poem.
Medieval commentators filled the margins with careful notes.
Similarannotator, exegete, scholiast, editor
5
nouncountable
Someone who writes notes that explain parts of the Bible.
Like a guide who helps you understand an old, hard book.
The commentator explained what the verse meant for its first readers.
Bible commentators often disagree about that chapter.
Similarexegete, expositor, interpreter
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6
nouncountable
Someone who writes notes that explain what the law means.
Like a teacher who explains the rules of a game so everyone understands them.
The commentator explained how the old law applied to new cases.
Legal commentators wrote long notes about the new rules.
Similarpostglossator
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Less common meaning

7
nounobsolete
Someone who writes a history of past events, with added notes.
Like a writer who keeps a careful diary of big events for people to read later.
The old commentator recorded the deeds of kings in his chronicle.
Town commentators kept records of every harvest and war.
Note

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Origin

It comes from Latin commentator, meaning an author or interpreter, from a verb meaning to ponder or study. Its meaning was shaped by the English words comment and commentary.