interpretive
Americanadjective
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serving to interpret; explanatory.
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deduced by interpretation.
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made because of interpretation.
an interpretive distortion of language.
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of or relating to those arts that require an intermediary, as a performer, for realization, as in music or theater.
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offering interpretations, explanations, or guidance, as through lectures, brochures, or films.
the museum's interpretive center.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of interpretive
Explanation
Use the adjective interpretive to describe things that explain or define, like an interpretive dance that uses movements and gestures to convey the meaning of a piece of music. Interpretive comes from the Latin word interpretari, which means "explain, expound, understand." Inter- means "between" or "among," so you know there will be two or more parts to things that are interpretive. It's a subjective response that involves the thing that's being interpreted and the person doing the interpreting. A reader might have an interpretive response to a book, a guide will give an interpretative description of a painting for a tour group, and so on.
Vocabulary lists containing interpretive
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"The President has directed federal agencies to review interpretive materials to ensure accuracy, honesty, and alignment with shared national values," the department told AFP by e-mail.
From Barron's • May 17, 2026
Therefore, Jackson, unlike Kagan, did not resolve the interpretive issue here on the majority opinion’s textualist terms.
From Slate • Mar. 4, 2026
And Kate Bush’s immortal 1978 single, with its swooping, operatic drama, interpretive dance–filled video and ghostly narrator only strengthened the book’s rep as a tale of exquisitely tortured love.
From Salon • Feb. 21, 2026
Mr. Pinsker’s deep research, interpretive daring and fine writing advance the case with panache.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 5, 2026
I said coldly, in German, “What possible reason could I have to pretend to be Berlin’s interpretive liaison with London?”
From "Code Name Verity" by Elizabeth Wein
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
