retelling: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to formal; common in literary, academic, and media contexts.
Quick answer
What does “retelling” mean?
An act of telling a story again, often in a new way.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An act of telling a story again, often in a new way.
A new version or reinterpretation of a narrative, often implying adaptation, reimagining, or narration from a different perspective.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The concept is identical. Slight preference in UK English for 're-telling' with a hyphen, though the solid form is dominant in both varieties.
Connotations
In both, can carry neutral ('a retelling of events') or positive ('a fresh retelling') connotations. In literary criticism, may imply derivative work if used pejoratively.
Frequency
Comparably frequent in both varieties, with spikes in education (recounting stories) and media (film/book reviews).
Grammar
How to Use “retelling” in a Sentence
[give/provide/offer] a retelling of [story/events][be] a retelling of [source material][listen to/read] a retellingVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “retelling” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- Her retelling of the Arthurian legend focused on Morgan le Fay.
- The witness's retelling lacked crucial details.
- The film is a gritty, urban retelling of 'Romeo and Juliet'.
American English
- His retelling of the camping trip had us all laughing.
- The book offers a retelling of the founding myth from an indigenous perspective.
- Each family member had a slightly different retelling of the event.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in PR/crisis management: 'We need a more positive retelling of the quarter's results.'
Academic
Common in literature, history, cultural studies: 'The paper analyzes feminist retellings of Greek myths.'
Everyday
Common: 'I heard his retelling of what happened at the meeting.'
Technical
Used in narratology and adaptation studies as a specific term for a narrative derived from a prior narrative.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “retelling”
Strong
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “retelling”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “retelling”
- Using 'retelling' as a verb (the verb is 'retell'). Confusing it with 'summary' (a retelling can be detailed). Over-hyphenating ('re-telling' is less common).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A summary condenses the main points. A retelling can be just as long or detailed as the original but is narrated again, often with changes in style, perspective, or emphasis.
No. 'Retelling' is the noun form. The verb is 'to retell' (past: retold). E.g., 'She retold the story.'
Not necessarily. While it often implies a relation to the source, a retelling can be faithful, loose, or even subversive. The key is the act of telling something known again.
'Remake' is specific to films/media, implying a new production of an old work. 'Retelling' is broader, applying to any narrative form (book, oral story, play) and focuses on the narrative act itself.
An act of telling a story again, often in a new way.
Retelling is usually neutral to formal; common in literary, academic, and media contexts. in register.
Retelling: in British English it is pronounced /ˌriːˈtɛlɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌriˈtɛlɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's the same story, just a different retelling.”
- “History is a constant retelling.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
RE-TELL-ING: Think of 'telling' a story 're-' (again). Like pressing replay on a narrative.
Conceptual Metaphor
STORIES ARE OBJECTS THAT CAN BE REMOLDED. HISTORY IS A NARRATIVE THAT CAN BE REWRITTEN.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'retelling' LEAST likely to be used?