interview

American  

[in-ter-vyoo] / ˈɪn tərˌvyu /

noun

1. a formal meeting in which one or more persons question, consult, or evaluate another person.

   a job interview.

2. a meeting or conversation in which a writer or reporter asks questions of one or more persons from whom material is sought for a newspaper story, television broadcast, etc.

3. the report of such a conversation or meeting.

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verb (used with object)

1. to have an interview with in order to question, consult, or evaluate.

   to interview a job applicant;

   to interview the president.

verb (used without object)

1. to have an interview; be interviewed (sometimes followed bywith ).

   She interviewed with eight companies before accepting a job.

2. to give or conduct an interview.

   to interview to fill job openings.

interview British  

/ ˈɪntəˌvjuː /

noun

1. a conversation with or questioning of a person, usually conducted for television, radio, or a newspaper

2. a formal discussion, esp one in which an employer assesses an applicant for a job

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verb

1. to conduct an interview with (someone)

2. (intr) to be interviewed, esp for a job

   he interviewed well and was given the position

Other Word Forms

• interviewable
  adjective
• interviewee
  noun
• interviewer
  noun
• preinterview
  noun
• quasi-interviewed
  adjective
• reinterview
  noun
• self-interview
  noun
• uninterviewed
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of interview

First recorded in 1505–15; inter- + view; replacing enterview, from Middle French entrevue, noun use of feminine of entrevu “glimpsed,” past participle of entrevoir “to glimpse,” from entre “between” + voir “to see”

Explanation

Interview can be a verb or a noun, but whatever form it takes, it involves a formal meeting and asking or answering questions. When you go to a job interview, be prepared to answer questions about your strengths and weaknesses. The noun form of interview refers to a question-and-answer session. You’ve probably seen a TV interview with a famous person, or you may have gone to an interview with a college admissions director. The verb form of the word describes the act of asking the questions. You might interview a local politician for your school paper. Often an interview involves some kind of evaluation, so speak carefully if someone is interviewing you, especially if it's going to be published!

Example Sentences

This was after the then Duke of York had stepped down as a working royal, in the wake of his BBC Newsnight interview in November 2019.

From BBC • May 30, 2026

“In Greg’s most optimistic, most idealist, most selfish version of the world, he would just write code on the most important thing,” Altman said in an interview.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 30, 2026

The company said it plans to reduce its full-time workforce by 17%, though CEO Sasan Goodarzi asserted that AI “had no bearing” on the decision in an interview with Barron’s.

From Barron's • May 29, 2026

A group of Epstein victims who spoke with reporters in front of the closed doors of the Bondi interview criticized the department’s rollout of the files and the department’s lack of communication with victims.

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026

What if during my interview I forgot Fig’s name or kept saying “uh” and “um” and nothing else while my entire face burned red?

From "Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence" by Sonja Thomas

Related Words

• account
• conference
• consultation
• conversation
• dialogue
• examination
• hearing
• meeting
• press conference
• record
• statement
• talk