commentary

noun

com·​men·​tary ˈkä-mən-ˌter-ē 

-ˌte-rē

plural commentaries

1

a

: an explanatory treatise

—usually plural

Blackstone's Commentaries on the Laws of England

b

: a record of events usually written by a participant

—usually plural

Caesar's Commentaries on the Gallic War

2

a

: a systematic series of explanations or interpretations (as of a writing)

a commentary on Dante's Divine Comedy

b

: comment sense 2

3

a

: something that serves for illustration or explanation

The dark, airless apartments and sunless factories … are a sad commentary upon our civilization.

—H. A. Overstreet

b

: an expression of opinion

The magazine article is a commentary on cyberbullying.

Synonyms of commentary

• comment
• analysis
• observation

Examples of commentary in a Sentence

The television show features political commentary by well-known journalists.

The magazine includes humor and social commentary.

The book is a commentary on her experiences abroad.

I like listening to his social commentaries.

He provided commentary during the game.

The major television stations provided running commentaries on the election results.

Recent Examples on the Web

Kwapis consulted with composers, musicologists, record producers, and culture writers to provide commentary for the film. — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 9 Oct. 2026

Depending on her tastes, her shelf might feature sharp social commentary, sweeping romances, gothic mysteries, groundbreaking science fiction, or unforgettable stories about women challenging the expectations placed upon them. — Ethan Stone october 9, Idaho Statesman, 9 Oct. 2026

As with past Carrie adaptations, the Prime series sets the story in the present day, which allows the writers to lean into contemporary social commentary. — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2026

On his podcast and YouTube series, Justin Hawkins Rides Again, the Darkness frontperson has dissected Greta Van Fleet more than once, offering both positive and negative commentary. — Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 8 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see comment entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for commentary

• accessary
• adversary
• ancillary
• apiary
• arbitrary
• aviary
• axillary
• bacillary
• beriberi
• bestiary
• breviary
• budgetary

Kids Definition

commentary

noun

com·​men·​tary ˈkäm-ən-ˌter-ē 

plural commentaries

: a series of comments or notes

also : a book made up of such material

—usually used in plural