Synonyms

translate

American

[trans-leyt, tranz-, trans-leyt, tranz-] / trænsˈleɪt, trænz-, ˈtræns leɪt, ˈtrænz- /

verb (used with object)

to turn from one language into another or from a foreign language into one's own.

to translate Spanish.
to change the form, condition, nature, etc., of; transform; convert.

to translate wishes into deeds.
to explain in terms that can be more easily understood; interpret.
to bear, carry, or move from one place, position, etc., to another; transfer.
Mechanics. to cause (a body) to move without rotation or angular displacement; subject to translation.
Computers. to convert (a program, data, code, etc.) from one form to another.

to translate a FORTRAN program into assembly language.
Telegraphy. to retransmit or forward (a message), as by a relay.
Ecclesiastical.
1. to move (a bishop) from one see to another.
2. to move (a see) from one place to another.
3. to move (relics) from one place to another.
to convey or remove to heaven without natural death.
Mathematics. to perform a translation on (a set, function, etc.).
to express the value of (a currency) in a foreign currency by applying the exchange rate.
to exalt in spiritual or emotional ecstasy; enrapture.

verb (used without object)

to provide or make a translation; act as translator.
to admit of translation.

The Greek expression does not translate easily into English.

translate British

/ trænsˈleɪt, trænz- /

verb

to express or be capable of being expressed in another language or dialect

he translated Shakespeare into Afrikaans
his books translate well
(intr) to act as translator
(tr) to express or explain in simple or less technical language
(tr) to interpret or infer the significance of (gestures, symbols, etc)
(tr) to transform or convert

to translate hope into reality
(tr; usually passive) biochem to transform the molecular structure of (messenger RNA) into a polypeptide chain by means of the information stored in the genetic code See also transcribe
to move or carry from one place or position to another
(tr)
1. to transfer (a cleric) from one ecclesiastical office to another
2. to transfer (a see) from one place to another
(tr) RC Church to transfer (the body or the relics of a saint) from one resting place to another
(tr) theol to transfer (a person) from one place or plane of existence to another, as from earth to heaven
maths physics to move (a figure or body) laterally, without rotation, dilation, or angular displacement
(intr) (of an aircraft, missile, etc) to fly or move from one position to another
archaic (tr) to bring to a state of spiritual or emotional ecstasy

"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

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

Participles

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future

Etymology

Origin of translate

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English translaten, from Latin trānslātus “borne across,” past participle of trānsferre “to bear across,” from trāns- trans- + ferre “to bear, bring, carry” ( see also bear ¹); for the suppletive element -lātus, earlier tlātus (unrecorded), see also thole ², tolerate

Explanation

To translate is to put into a different language or interpret. If your brother says, "Gee, Mom, all of my friends have really cool pets, like snakes and stuff," you can translate that statement to mean "I want a snake." Translate comes from the Latin translates, which means "carry across." The word isn't limited to talking about language. You can translate sales into dollars, or a play into a movie. When used that way, translate means changing something from one form to another.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing translate

Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

"My Favorite Chaperone," Vocabulary from the short story

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

The Invention of Hugo Cabret

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!

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.

See Examples For:

translate translates translated translating

Hunt, undeniably the star of these championships as she seeks to capture an "iconic" four golds, will ultimately hope to emulate Asher-Smith and translate continental dominance to global success in the coming years.

From BBC ● Aug. 15, 2026

“Near-term consolidation or a moderate pullback cannot be ruled out unless softer data translate into lower yields/USD and firmer investment flows,” they say.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026

That initial increase, however, does not translate into better repair.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 14, 2026

Another function is to translate a jumble of oral commands into a clear and concise text message.

From Barron's ● Aug. 12, 2026

When it came to the latter, it was our job to translate the intricate plot twists and romantic entanglements.

From "Americanized" by Sara Saedi

Yet a decline in birth rates also translates to an ageing population across the Maghreb.

From Barron's ● Aug. 13, 2026

For Roger Federer, who is reported to own about 3% of the company, that move translates into a roughly $50 million decline in the value of his holdings.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 11, 2026

Now, with “No Me Arrepiento de Sentir Tanto” — which in English translates to “I Don’t Regret Feeling So Much” — Karol G swaps her vibrant, tropical facade for a soft blue vulnerability.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 7, 2026

"Hand-eye coordination, tracking and locating balls, leaping down low or up high, and attacking the ball at corner kicks, that translates very well," Traore says.

From BBC ● Jul. 30, 2026

When he’s done, she turns to us and translates what he said.

From "Marcus Vega Doesn't Speak Spanish" by Pablo Cartaya

He translated an infield single with an exit velocity of 37 mph into everyday language: “That’s driving in the school zone.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 16, 2026

One woman got mad and left the chat, another got stranded and a salty side conversation got translated to text and circulated to all.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 15, 2026

It's there that edicts handed down by the reclusive emir are translated into what are known as workarounds.

From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026

“Listing is a must,” LimX Dynamics founder Will Zhang told reporters in July, according to remarks translated by CNBC.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 11, 2026

“Darling momma, let me get in your lap,” the raps spelled as Kate translated.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock

He had been a tailor in Afghanistan, but also worked with military personnel, translating his native Farsi alongside Dari, Pashto, Urdu and Arabic.

From BBC ● Aug. 11, 2026

Riley is betting big on that translating to the Trojans’ defense this fall.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 9, 2026

Mizoguchi concluded, "Our study demonstrated significant changes in orexin neuron activity depending on expected rewards and the effort required, suggesting a potential mechanism for translating expectations into sustained action."

From Science Daily ● Aug. 5, 2026

Cost of sales rose 36%, while general and administrative costs were up just 6% year-over-year, translating to a big jump in operating income.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 30, 2026

By translating credo into the English first person plural, we believe, the Church no longer reminds the listener that he is alone.

From "Hunger of Memory" by Richard Rodriguez

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023