interpolate

American  

[in-tur-puh-leyt] / ɪnˈtɜr pəˌleɪt /

verb (used with object)

• interpolates,
  present (3rd person singular)
• interpolated,
  past participle,  past
• interpolating
  present participle

1. to introduce (something additional or extraneous) between other things or parts; interject; interpose; intercalate.

2. Mathematics. to insert, estimate, or find an intermediate term in (a sequence).

3. to alter (a text) by the insertion of new matter, especially deceptively or without authorization.

4. to insert (new or spurious matter) in this manner.

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verb (used without object)

• interpolates,
  present (3rd person singular)
• interpolated,
  past participle,  past
• interpolating
  present participle

1. to make an interpolation.

interpolate British  

/ ɪnˈtɜːpəˌleɪt /

verb

1. to insert or introduce (a comment, passage, etc) into (a conversation, text, etc)

2. to falsify or alter (a text, manuscript, etc) by the later addition of (material, esp spurious or valueless passages)

3. (intr) to make additions, interruptions, or insertions

4. maths to estimate (a value of a function) between the values already known or determined Compare extrapolate

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• interpolater
  noun
• interpolator
  noun
• interpolable
  adjective
• interpolative
  adjective
• interpolatory
  adjective
• noninterpolating
  adjective
• noninterpolative
  adjective
• uninterpolated
  adjective
• uninterpolative
  adjective
• interpolatively
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Participles

• interpolating
  present
• interpolated
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• interpolate
  simple
• interpolates
  simple
• have interpolated
  perfect
• has interpolated
  perfect
• am interpolating
  progressive
• are interpolating
  progressive
• is interpolating
  progressive
• have been interpolating
  perfect progressive
• has been interpolating
  perfect progressive

Past

• interpolated
  simple
• had interpolated
  perfect
• was interpolating
  progressive
• were interpolating
  progressive
• had been interpolating
  perfect progressive

Future

• will interpolate
  simple
• will have interpolated
  perfect
• will be interpolating
  progressive
• will have been interpolating
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of interpolate

First recorded in 1605–15; from Latin interpolātus, past participle of interpolāre “to make new, refurbish, touch up,” equivalent to inter- “between, among, together” + -polā- verb stem (akin to polīre “to polish”) + -tus past participle suffix; see inter-, polish

Explanation

When you interpolate words into a text, you alter the text by adding words in. If you’re describing your favorite novelist's work, you might interpolate a few examples of her writing into your description. If you constantly interpolate your own snide comments into your sister's play-by-play account of an important basketball game, don't be surprised if she asks you to knock it off. In math, to interpolate means to estimate the value of something given certain data. If you’re looking at a chart that gives the level of pollutants in a lake on January 1st and February 1st, you must interpolate the level for January 15th.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

interpolate interpolates interpolated interpolating

To get around that issue, the BEA said that it will average September and November numbers to interpolate the October missing data.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 7, 2026

Is there a song in your mind that’s too sacred to sample or interpolate?

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 18, 2025

This ability to interpolate also leads to highly accurate scene reconstructions when combined with multibounce lidar, Klinghoffer says.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 18, 2024

“Her outstanding skill is an ability to interpolate amusing, semi-improvised commentary within songs, in a variety of musical styles, that turns them into personal testimony,” he wrote in 1987.

From New York Times ● Jan. 28, 2024

Action, in fiction, is action which plays a necessary part in the story, and the novelist should not interpolate insignificant events any more than he should interpolate his own opinions on life and morals.

From The Technique of Fiction Writing by Robert Saunders Dowst

“Killah” interpolates a lick from Bowie’s “Fame”; “Perfect Celebrity” nods to NIN’s industrial funk; “Zombieboy” evokes the fizzy Champagne high that Chic figured out how to bottle.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 10, 2025

Entitled Alter Ego, it includes singles Moonlit Floor, which interpolates Sixpence None the Richer's classic track Kiss Me, as well as New Woman featuring Spanish star Rosalía, and hip hop track Rockstar.

From BBC ● Feb. 23, 2025

He says that when he dropped the fiery “Dientes” in September, the ’00s club-inspired Latino urbano track which interpolates Usher’s “Yeah!,” his fans were expecting reggaeton — his “original sound,” as he puts it.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 6, 2023

“At the time, I was loving Wu-Tang, that Ol’ Dirty Bastard song,” said Keys, referring “Brooklyn Zoo” by Ol’ Dirty Bastard, which she interpolates on “Girlfriend.”

From Washington Times ● Mar. 30, 2020

The new form consisted in this, says M. Hignard in his preface to the score: in the vocal part of his work he interpolates declamation, replacing the recitatives, and fully backed by the orchestra.

From Shakespeare and Music by Christopher Wilson

Note: Tracks for ships that lose signals are interpolated and may appear over land.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 4, 2026

“Everyday People” alone was covered by Aretha Franklin, Joan Jett, the Staples Singers, the Supremes and Pearl Jam, and it was interpolated by Arrested Development on the 1992 hit “People Everyday.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 9, 2025

Many hits will be played in full, some will be interpolated into other songs, and still more will be used as "bridges" between acts.

From BBC ● Oct. 11, 2023

It was “Rapper’s Delight,” which interpolated Chic’s hit “Good Times.”

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 7, 2023

"Tumble off," interpolated Lucius, who was in a state of irritation verging on desperation.

From Peter Binney A Novel by Archibald Marshall

Set to a throbbing synth bassline, the song teases fans by interpolating a line from her 1980s classic Into The Groove: "Out here on the dance floor, I feel so free."

From BBC ● Apr. 15, 2026

“Old Dog” is a tribute to Mr. Cole’s home state, featuring rapper Petey Pablo interpolating his 2001 North Carolina anthem “Raise Up.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 10, 2026

Online, he has a reputation for interpolating corporate PR with nerdy puns and — in his words — “dank” memes.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 24, 2023

It was the perfect recipe for virality: one part cute kid plus one part delicious food, with a healthy sprinkling of catchy sound bites, perfect for interpolating.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 25, 2022

The press was seized in August, 1573, and the type handed to Henry Bynneman, who, the next year, used it to reprint Cartwright’s attack, interpolating Whitgift’s replies in larger type.

From Fine Books by Alfred W. (Alfred William) Pollard