commentary
UK: ˈkɒm.ən.tər.i | US: ˈkɑː.mən.ter.i
n. a spoken or written description of an event, often provided while the event is happening
n. a series of explanations or interpretations, especially in a scholarly or analytical context
n. a critical or evaluative discussion of a topic, such as a literary or political commentary
The word "commentary" originates from the Latin commentarius, meaning "notebook" or "memorandum," derived from commentari ("to meditate, note, or explain"). The root comment reflects the act of providing observations or annotations, while the suffix -ary (from Latin -arius) signifies something pertaining to or connected with the root. Over time, the term evolved to emphasize structured explanations, particularly in academic, media, or analytical contexts.
The journalist provided live commentary during the football match.
His book includes a detailed commentary on Shakespeare’s sonnets.
The documentary features expert commentary on climate change.
She wrote a sharp political commentary for the newspaper.
The professor’s commentary clarified the poem’s historical context.