Advertisement

View synonyms for interpret

interpret

[ in-tur-prit ]

verb (used with object)

  1. to give or provide the meaning of; explain; explicate; elucidate:

    to interpret the hidden meaning of a parable.

  2. to construe or understand in a particular way:

    to interpret a reply as favorable.

  3. to bring out the meaning of (a dramatic work, music, etc.) by performance or execution.
  4. to perform or render (a song, role in a play, etc.) according to one's own understanding or sensitivity:

    The actor interpreted Lear as a weak, pitiful old man.

  5. to translate orally.
    1. to use an interpreter to transform (a program written in a high-level language) into a sequence of machine actions, one statement at a time, executing each statement immediately before going on to transform the next one.
    2. to read (the patterns of holes in punched cards) with an interpreter, printing the interpreted data on the same cards so that they can be read more conveniently by people.


verb (used without object)

  1. to translate what is said in a foreign language.
  2. to explain something; give an explanation.

interpret

/ ɪnˈtɜːprɪt /

verb

  1. tr to clarify or explain the meaning of; elucidate
  2. tr to construe the significance or intention of

    to interpret a smile as an invitation

  3. tr to convey or represent the spirit or meaning of (a poem, song, etc) in performance
  4. intr to act as an interpreter; translate orally
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


Discover More

Derived Forms

  • inˌterpretaˈbility, noun
  • inˈterpretably, adverb
  • inˈterpretable, adjective
Discover More

Other Words From

  • in·terpret·a·ble adjective
  • in·terpret·a·bili·ty in·terpret·a·ble·ness noun
  • in·terpret·a·bly adverb
  • nonin·terpret·a·bili·ty noun
  • nonin·terpret·a·ble adjective
  • prein·terpret verb (used with object)
  • rein·terpret verb
  • self-in·terpret·ed adjective
  • self-in·terpret·ing adjective
  • unin·terpret·a·ble adjective
  • unin·terpret·ed adjective
  • well-in·terpret·ed adjective
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of interpret1

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English interpreten, from Latin interpretārī, derivative of interpret-, stem of interpres “explainer”
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of interpret1

C14: from Latin interpretārī, from interpres negotiator, one who explains, from inter- + -pres, probably related to pretium price
Discover More

Example Sentences

For instance, I think of teenagers as being really willing to ask questions that some people interpret as sensitive.

Others described how they have to take their children with them everywhere they go to interpret for them.

There are some people who would say he should not have a platform on social media because they disagree strongly with how he interprets the data.

While it might seem like the law is the law, what’s far more important than what is written in the law or SEC regulations is how the law is interpreted, which is really about the sociology of attorneys.

That’s in part because the findings establish evidence in a way that the legal system can interpret.

The impulse to interpret seems to me what makes personal essay writing compelling.

As Testino explains, he decided to interpret each of the pillars via six unique characters.

The first story featured a man who hires Dr. Strange to help interpret his troubled dreams.

Many Muslims may disagree with my view, or interpret Islam in a more moderate way, but I cannot accept this religion myself.

At first glance, it might be tempting to interpret this extravagant level of compensation as a victory for the once-humble intern.

Mademoiselle caught it, and Garnache caught it too, although he failed to interpret it as precisely as he would have liked.

I opposed this, fearing, of course, that the French and even the Gentiles might interpret this as an affront to our faith.

Increpaui ego, vt potui, per interpret paganicos hos mores in iam Christianis.

Miss Watling seemed to interpret his thoughts, for she positively looked down and blushed.

Different courts interpret the same act sometimes in different ways.

Advertisement

Discover More

When To Use

What are other ways to say interpret?

To interpret is to give or provide the meaning of something, or to construe or understand something in a particular way. What’s the difference between interpret, elucidate, expound, and explain? Find out on Thesaurus.com.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


interpositioninterpretation