interpret

[ in-tur-prit ]

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. interpreter ( def 3 ).
   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.

verb (used without object)

1. to translate what is said in a foreign language.
2. to explain something; give an explanation.

interpret

/ 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

Derived Forms

• inˌterpretaˈbility, noun
• inˈterpretably, adverb
• inˈterpretable, adjective

Other Words From

• in·terpret·a·ble adjective
• in·terpret·a·bili·ty in·terpret·a·ble·ness noun
• in·terpret·a·bly adverb
• nonin·terpret·a·bili·ty noun
• nonin·terpret·a·ble adjective
• prein·terpret verb (used with object)
• rein·terpret verb
• self-in·terpret·ed adjective
• self-in·terpret·ing adjective
• unin·terpret·a·ble adjective
• unin·terpret·ed adjective
• well-in·terpret·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of interpret¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of interpret¹

C14: from Latin interpretārī, from interpres negotiator, one who explains, from inter- + -pres, probably related to pretium price

Example Sentences

Coppola specifically requested a classical love theme, “but geometric,” which Golijov interpreted as “an architectural theme that is just four notes, and then you can do whatever you want.”

From Los Angeles Times

This was widely interpreted as another less-than-subtle hint to America and Europe not to allow Ukraine to strike Russian territory with long-range missiles.

From BBC

However, the Stevens group's system takes a different approach: it detects and processes these noise artifacts using an AI that has been carefully trained to interpret their characteristics as valuable data.

From Science Daily

As we know now, colors aren’t just in the eye of the beholder, but it’s the brain that does the work, interpreting the information that the body gathers.

From Salon

If concerns aren’t acted on with "diligence and robustness,” that could, in his view, "potentially be interpreted by abusers as a bit of a green light”.

From BBC

Related Words

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

When To Use

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.