interpretative

American  

[in-tur-pri-tey-tiv] / ɪnˈtɜr prɪˌteɪ tɪv /

adjective

1. interpretive.

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interpretative British  

/ ɪnˈtɜːprɪtətɪv, ɪnˈtɜːprɪtɪv /

adjective

1. of, involving, or providing interpretation; expository

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Other Word Forms

• noninterpretative
  adjective
• preinterpretative
  adjective
• uninterpretative
  adjective
• interpretatively
  adverb
• noninterpretatively
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of interpretative

1560–70; < Latin interpretāt ( us ) past participle of interpretārī to interpret + -ive

Explanation

Something interpretative is helping you understand or make meaning. When you visit a national monument, you might not understand the symbolism until you read the interpretative signs that explain and interpret the monument for visitors. To interpret means "to translate or to explain." If you view an interpretative dance, the performers are interpreting the music with their physical movements. If you have a job working as an interpreter at the UN, you might have the interpretative task of assisting diplomats by translating what is said in one language into a language that another person can understand.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

interpretative

His death occurred just hours after speaking to a Times reporter about hiking in the heat while he took a break for some rare shade under a metal interpretative sign.

From Seattle Times ● Jul. 21, 2023

Language is tricky, nebulous, highly interpretative and emotional.

From Salon ● Jan. 15, 2023

Principle of charity the interpretative principle that says a reader ought to interpret the author’s statements in the most rational and best possible way.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 15, 2022

Possibilities include a park with interpretative panels in Maidu, street signs in Maidu or buildings decorated with cultural designs, Cunningham said.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 30, 2022

I shall go in for interpretative dancing myself, hereafter.

From Marjorie Dean College Junior by Pauline Lester