commentator
gb/kˈɑməntˌeɪtɚ/ us/kˈɑməntˌeɪtɚ/
B2
English
~ 6200
kommentátor, sportkommentátor, sportriporter, politikai kommentátor, közéleti kommentátor, publicista, exegéta, szövegmagyarázó
NOUN
B2
1
Usage pattern:
a [sports/political] commentator on [channel/event]
The sports commentator kept viewers updated on every play during the final match.
A sportkommentátor a döntő mérkőzés alatt minden akcióról folyamatosan tájékoztatta a nézőket.
A political commentator on the news channel explained what the election results might mean.
A hírcsatorna egyik politikai kommentátora elmagyarázta, mit jelenthetnek a választási eredmények.
The radio commentator painted a vivid picture of the game for listeners who could not see it.
During the ceremony, the TV commentator gave background information about each guest.
The color commentator added stories and expert insight while the play-by-play commentator described the action.
Learner examples
The commentator talked about the football game on TV.
A kommentátor a tévében beszélt a focimeccsről.
I like this sports commentator because he explains the rules clearly.
Szeretem ezt a sportkommentátort, mert érthetően elmagyarázza a szabályokat.
The radio commentator told us what was happening in the race.
A political commentator on the news show gave her opinion about the new law.
The commentator described the goal as it happened.
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse "commentator" with "commenter". A "commentator" is usually a professional person on TV, radio, or in articles who regularly explains or analyzes events. A "commenter" is an ordinary person who writes a short comment online. Learners may also say "commentator of the match" instead of the more natural "commentator on the match" or "commentator for the match".
Meaning
person describing live events in media
Collocations
sports commentator
|TV commentator
|radio commentator
|political commentator
|color commentator
|football commentator
Synonyms
announcer (Often focuses on giving basic information (names, scores) with less analysis or opinion than a commentator.)
Antonyms
spectator (A spectator only watches or listens to an event and does not describe or analyze it for an audience.)
Themes
media
|sports
|politics
|communication
Definition
A person who talks on TV, radio, or online to explain and give opinions about a game, news story, or other event while you watch or listen.
A person whose job is to describe, explain, and give opinions on events for television, radio, or online, especially while they are happening, such as sports matches or political events.
NOUN
B2
2
Usage pattern:
a [political/social] commentator on [issue/topic]
Several political commentators have criticized the government's response to the crisis.
Több politikai kommentátor is bírálta, ahogyan a kormány reagált a válságra.
As a social commentator, she writes about how technology is changing family life.
Társadalmi kérdésekkel foglalkozó kommentátorként arról ír, hogyan alakítja át a technológia a családi életet.
Economic commentators warned that the new policy could slow growth.
The book collects essays by leading commentators on climate change.
Media commentators quickly compared the scandal to similar events in the past.
Learner examples
He is a well-known political commentator in the country.
Ő az ország egyik jól ismert politikai kommentátora.
The social commentator writes a weekly column in the newspaper.
A közéleti kommentátor heti rovatot ír az újságban.
Many commentators said the decision was a big mistake.
A cultural commentator talked about the movie on a podcast.
Commentators on the website explained why the company failed.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "commentator" for anyone who says something about a topic. In this sense, it usually refers to someone recognized by the media who often gives analysis or opinions, not just any person with a single comment. For one-time or casual online remarks, "commenter" or "user" is more natural.
Meaning
media figure giving opinions and analysis
Collocations
political commentator
|social commentator
|media commentator
|economic commentator
|cultural commentator
|online commentator
Synonyms
pundit (Often suggests a media expert who gives strong or frequent opinions, sometimes with a slightly negative or ironic tone.)
Antonyms
participant (A participant is directly involved in the events or issues, while a commentator stands outside and discusses or analyzes them.)
Themes
media
|society
|politics
|culture
|communication
|arts_entertainment
Definition
A person who often writes or speaks in the media to give opinions and explain what is happening in politics, society, or culture.
A writer or speaker who regularly gives opinions and analysis about politics, society, culture, or other public issues in newspapers, magazines, books, broadcasts, or online.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
3
Usage pattern:
a [biblical/legal] commentator on [author/text]
Many later commentators have disagreed about the meaning of this passage.
Sok későbbi kommentátor másképp értelmezte ezt a szakaszt.
Medieval commentators added glosses in the margins of the manuscript.
A középkori kommentátorok magyarázó jegyzeteket írtak a kézirat margójára.
Some commentators argue that the poet is criticizing the king in this verse.
The edition includes notes from several nineteenth-century commentators.
Classical commentators often tried to reconcile contradictory lines in the play.
Learner examples
A biblical commentator explains difficult parts of the Bible.
Egy bibliai kommentátor elmagyarázza a Biblia nehéz részeit.
Many commentators have written about this old poem.
Sok kommentátor írt erről a régi versről.
The book includes a text and a commentator's notes.
Later commentators gave a new meaning to the story.
An ancient commentator wrote a long explanation of the law.
Meaning
scholar explaining a written text
Collocations
biblical commentator
|classical commentator
|medieval commentator
|Shakespearean commentator
|legal commentator
|ancient commentator
Synonyms
scholar (A broader term for an academic expert; a commentator in this sense is a type of scholar focused on explaining a specific text.)
Antonyms
author (The author creates the original text, while the commentator explains and interprets that text later.)
Themes
religion
|literature
|academia
|education
|law
Definition
A specialist who writes careful notes and explanations to help people understand a difficult book, such as religious or old texts.
A scholar who writes detailed explanations, notes, and interpretations of a particular text, especially religious, legal, or classical works.
Grammar
Dictionary form
commentator
IPA
GB/kˈɑməntˌeɪtɚ/
US/kˈɑməntˌeɪtɚ/
Syllables & stress
com - ment - at - or (4 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (com)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: commentator
- Plural: commentators
Word family
Forms
commentators
noun
Core family
comment
noun A2
commentary
noun B1
Related words
commentate
verb
commenter
noun
Advanced or less common
commentariat
noun
Expressions
color commentator
1/kˈʌlɚ kˈɑməntˌeɪtɚ/
fixed phrase
sports expert adding analysis and stories
In sports, a commentator who gives expert opinions and interesting stories, while another person mainly describes each play.
Examples
- The color commentator explained the strategy behind the coach's decision.
- She was hired as the color commentator because of her experience as a former player.
news commentator
1/njˈuz kˈɑməntˌeɪtɚ/
fixed phrase
person analyzing and explaining news
A person on TV, radio, or online who explains and gives opinions about news stories.
Examples
- A news commentator on the channel analyzed the causes of the crisis.
- The news commentator tried to present both sides of the argument.
play-by-play commentator
1/plˈeɪ bˈaɪ plˈeɪ kˈɑməntˌeɪtɚ/
fixed phrase
commentator describing every sports action
In sports, a commentator who tells you every action in the game as it happens, such as passes, shots, and goals.
Examples
- The play-by-play commentator spoke rapidly to keep up with the fast game.
- He works as the play-by-play commentator, while his partner serves as the color commentator.
political commentator
1/pəlˈɪtɪkəl kˈɑməntˌeɪtɚ/
fixed phrase
media analyst focusing on politics
A person in the media who often explains and gives opinions about politics.
Examples
- Several political commentators discussed the election results on the late-night show.
- He became a well-known political commentator after working in government for many years.
radio commentator
1/ɹˈeɪdioʊ kˈɑməntˌeɪtɚ/
fixed phrase
person giving commentary on radio
A person who talks on the radio to describe and explain events for listeners.
Examples
- The radio commentator spoke so vividly that I could imagine the whole match.
- He started his career as a local radio commentator for high school games.
social commentator
1/sˈoʊʃəl kˈɑməntˌeɪtɚ/
fixed phrase
analyst of social and cultural issues
A person who often writes or speaks about problems and changes in society and culture.
Examples
- The comedian is also known as a sharp social commentator.
- As a social commentator, she focuses on how work is changing for young people.
sports commentator
1/spˈɔɹts kˈɑməntˌeɪtɚ/
fixed phrase
person describing sports on air
A person on TV, radio, or online who talks about a sports game and explains what is happening.
Examples
- The sports commentator shouted with excitement when the team scored.
- She works as a sports commentator for a major TV network.
television commentator
1/tˈɛləvˌɪʒən kˈɑməntˌeɪtɚ/
fixed phrase
person giving commentary on TV
A person who talks on TV to describe and explain events for viewers.
Examples
- The television commentator introduced each athlete before the race.
- As a television commentator, she has to speak clearly and quickly.