Retell: meaning, definitions and examples

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retell

 

[ rɪˈtɛl ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

storytelling

To retell means to tell a story again or in a different way. It often involves summarizing or paraphrasing the original narrative while maintaining the essence of the main points. Retelling can be used as a technique in education to enhance comprehension by encouraging students to process and articulate what they have learned. This verb is often employed in literary contexts, where one might retell a fable or historical event.

Synonyms

narrate, recount, rephrase

Examples of usage

  • She was asked to retell the story of her adventure.
  • He has a talent for retelling classic fairy tales.
  • The teacher encouraged students to retell the story in their own words.

Translations

Translations of the word "retell" in other languages:

🇵🇹 recontar

🇮🇳 पुनर्कथन करना

🇩🇪 nacherzählen

🇮🇩 menceritakan kembali

🇺🇦 переконати

🇵🇱 opowiedzieć na nowo

🇯🇵 再話する

🇫🇷 raconter à nouveau

🇪🇸 volver a contar

🇹🇷 yeniden anlatmak

🇰🇷 다시 이야기하다

🇸🇦 إعادة سرد

🇨🇿 překládat

🇸🇰 znovu rozprávať

🇨🇳 重述

🇸🇮 ponovno povedati

🇮🇸 segja aftur

🇰🇿 қайта айту

🇬🇪 გადმოცემა

🇦🇿 təkrar danışmaq

🇲🇽 volver a contar

Etymology

The word 'retell' originates from the prefix 're-' meaning 'again', and 'tell', which comes from Old English 'tellan', meaning 'to announce, count, or relate'. The concept of recounting a narrative or story again reflects an age-old tradition of oral storytelling. The use of retelling in education has gained importance over time, as retelling not only solidifies understanding but also enhances memory retention. As societies transitioned from oral traditions to written forms, the practice of retelling adapted, leading to various literary forms, including adaptations, sequels, and reimaginings of classic tales. This evolution illustrates the significance of retelling in preserving cultural narratives and in fostering creativity in literature.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #31,513 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.