A commentator is someone whose job is to describe and explain what's happening during an event, usually on television or radio. When you watch a football game on TV, the voices you hear explaining each play, discussing strategy, and sharing background information about the players belong to commentators. They help audiences understand what they're seeing and make the experience more engaging.

Commentators need deep knowledge of whatever they're covering. A sports commentator must know the rules, the teams, the players' histories, and the strategies involved. A political commentator explains elections and government decisions. Some commentators focus on the play-by-play action (describing what's happening moment by moment), while others provide color commentary, offering insights, analysis, and interesting stories.

Good commentators don't just state the obvious: they notice details others might miss, explain why something matters, and help viewers appreciate the skill or significance of what's unfolding. When a gymnast executes a difficult move, the commentator might explain how rare that skill is and point out the technical precision required.

Outside of broadcasting, people sometimes use commentator more broadly to describe anyone who regularly offers public opinions about current events, like newspaper columnists or online analysts.