storyteller

UK: ˈstɔːriˌtelə | US: ˈstɔːriˌtelər

Definition

  1. n. a person who tells stories, especially professionally or as part of tradition

  2. n. a narrator or author of fictional tales

Structure
story <tale, narrative>tell <to narrate>er <agent suffix>
Etymology

The word "storyteller" combines three morphemes:

  1. "Story" derives from Latin "historia" (account, tale), entering English via Old French "estoire."
  2. "Tell" comes from Old English "tellan" (to count, recount), rooted in Proto-Germanic *taljaną.
  3. The suffix "-er" (agent noun) originates from Old English "-ere," indicating a person who performs an action.
    The compound emerged in Middle English, reflecting the role of someone who recounts narratives, blending oral tradition with linguistic evolution.
Examples

  1. The village storyteller captivated children with ancient legends.

  2. She is a gifted storyteller, weaving humor into her anecdotes.

  3. Indigenous cultures often honor storytellers as keepers of history.

  4. The book’s success lies in its author’s skill as a storyteller.

  5. Modern filmmakers are the digital age’s visual storytellers.