Storyteller: meaning, definitions and examples

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storyteller

 

[ ˈstɔːriˌtɛlər ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

person who tells stories

A storyteller is someone who tells stories, whether orally or through other mediums such as books, movies, or theater. Storytellers have the ability to captivate an audience and transport them to different worlds through their narratives. They often use their creativity and imagination to craft compelling tales that entertain, educate, or inspire others.

Synonyms

narrator, raconteur, spinner of yarns.

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Word Description / Examples
storyteller

This word is generally used to describe someone who tells stories, often in a creative and engaging way. It can apply to writers, speakers, or anyone who shares stories, whether they are true or fictional.

  • She is a fantastic storyteller who keeps everyone captivated with her tales.
  • As a storyteller, he knows how to weave intricate plots that grab the audience's attention.
narrator

This word refers specifically to the person who tells the story in a book, movie, or play. The narrator can be a character within the story or an outside observer.

  • The narrator of the novel has a very distinctive voice.
  • In the play, the narrator guides the audience through the unfolding events.
raconteur

This term is used for someone who is particularly skilled at telling anecdotes and engaging stories, usually in social settings. It has a positive connotation and implies a witty, entertaining style.

  • He was known as a brilliant raconteur, always regaling his friends with hilarious stories.
  • At parties, she becomes the raconteur, charming everyone with her lively tales.
spinner of yarns

This phrase is an informal and somewhat old-fashioned way to describe someone who tells imaginative and elaborate stories. It often implies that the stories are exaggerated or fictional.

  • Grandpa was a spinner of yarns, often telling us tales of his wild adventures.
  • He's a spinner of yarns, and you can never be sure where the truth ends and the fiction begins.

Examples of usage

  • The storyteller mesmerized the children with her tales of adventure and magic.
  • As a professional storyteller, he traveled to schools and libraries to share his stories with audiences of all ages.

Translations

Translations of the word "storyteller" in other languages:

🇵🇹 contador de histórias

🇮🇳 कहानी सुनाने वाला

🇩🇪 Geschichtenerzähler

🇮🇩 pendongeng

🇺🇦 оповідач

🇵🇱 bajarz

🇯🇵 物語を語る人

🇫🇷 conteur

🇪🇸 cuentacuentos

🇹🇷 hikaye anlatıcısı

🇰🇷 이야기꾼

🇸🇦 راوي القصص

🇨🇿 vypravěč

🇸🇰 rozprávač

🇨🇳 故事讲述者

🇸🇮 pripovedovalec

🇮🇸 sögumaður

🇰🇿 әңгімеші

🇬🇪 მოთხრობილი

🇦🇿 nağıllı

🇲🇽 cuentacuentos

Etymology

The term 'storyteller' dates back to ancient times when oral storytelling was the primary means of passing down traditions, history, and culture. Storytellers played a crucial role in preserving and sharing knowledge through generations. With the advent of written language and later, various forms of media, the role of the storyteller evolved but remained essential in human communication and entertainment.

See also: stories, storyline, storytellers, storytelling.