interpret

American  

[in-tur-prit] / ɪnˈtɜr prɪt /

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.

6. Computers.

   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.

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verb (used without object)

1. to translate what is said in a foreign language.

2. to explain something; give an explanation.

interpret British  

/ 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

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Usage

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.

Other Word Forms

• interpretability
  noun
• interpretable
  adjective
• interpretableness
  noun
• interpretably
  adverb
• noninterpretability
  noun
• noninterpretable
  adjective
• preinterpret
  verb (used with object)
• reinterpret
  verb
• self-interpreted
  adjective
• self-interpreting
  adjective
• uninterpretable
  adjective
• uninterpreted
  adjective
• well-interpreted
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of interpret

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

Explanation

When you interpret something, you make sense of it. You could interpret a graph, a foreign language, or even Mona Lisa's odd smile. If you're ordering food in a foreign land, you may need someone to interpret the menu for you. When you get tripped up or struggle to understand a subject even in your own language — like calculus, for example — sometimes you can find meaning, or interpret it for yourself. Or sometimes you'll need a teacher to work on the problem with you, showing how to interpret the mathematical language.

Example Sentences

In general, wearable sensors have improved in recent years, as have the algorithms that interpret them.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

Ultimately, it’s up to investors to decide how to interpret macroeconomic forces.

From MarketWatch • May 6, 2026

Instead of replacing human decision-making, Synthegy positions language models as guides that help interpret and refine computational results.

From Science Daily • May 5, 2026

The state superintendent can interpret state law on this issue but has no direct say in what this law will be.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

Analyze, interpret, and select artistic work for presentation.

From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin

Related Words

• clarify
• construe
• decipher
• depict
• describe
• enact
• explain
• illustrate
• portray
• read
• solve
• translate
• understand
• view