interpolate

1 of 2

verb

in·​ter·​po·​late in-ˈtər-pə-ˌlāt 

interpolated; interpolating

transitive verb

1

a

: to alter or corrupt (something, such as a text) by inserting new or foreign matter

b

: to insert (words) into a text or into a conversation

2

: to insert between other things or parts : intercalate

3

: to estimate values of (data or a function) between two known values

intransitive verb

: to make insertions (as of estimated values)

interpolative

in-ˈtər-pə-ˌlā-tiv 

adjective

interpolator

in-ˈtər-pə-ˌlā-tər 

noun

interpolator

2 of 2

noun

in·​ter·​po·​la·​tor

-ātə-

plural -s

1

: interpolater

2

: a mechanically rotated clockwork instrument with two cams worked in conjunction with a relay to secure the correct telegraphic retransmission of any given number of consecutively repeated dots or dashes

Did you know?

When Henry Cockeram put interpolate in his 1623 The English Dictionary; or, An Interpreter of Hard English Words he defined it in a way we no longer use: “to polish.” Cockeram’s definition ties the word very closely to its Latin root, polire, “to polish,” but the English word has a more direct source in Latin interpolare, meaning “to refurbish or alter,” or “to alter or corrupt something by inserting new or foreign matter.” This latter meaning persists in our English word today, though modern use of interpolate usually simply suggests the insertion of something into an existing text, work, etc., as in “she interpolated her own commentary into the report.” Musical elements can be interpolated too, as when an artist inserts a melody, lyric, etc., from one song into another without directly sampling. For example, the Beatles interpolated part of their early hit “She Loves You” into the closing moments of their later hit “All You Need Is Love.” In mathematical contexts, to interpolate is to estimate the values of data or a function between two known values.

Synonyms of interpolate

Verb

• insert
• introduce

Choose the Right Synonym for interpolate

introduce, insert, insinuate, interpolate, intercalate, interpose, interject mean to put between or among others.

introduce is a general term for bringing or placing a thing or person into a group or body already in existence.

introduced a new topic into the conversation

insert implies putting into a fixed or open space between or among.

inserted a clause in the contract

insinuate implies introducing gradually or by gentle pressure.

insinuated himself into the group

interpolate applies to the inserting of something extraneous or spurious.

interpolated her own comments into the report

intercalate suggests an intrusive inserting of something in an existing series or sequence.

new chapters intercalated with the old

interpose suggests inserting an obstruction or cause of delay.

interpose barriers to communication

interject implies an abrupt or forced introduction.

interjected a question

Examples of interpolate in a Sentence

Verb

He smoothly interpolates fragments from other songs into his own.

He interpolated a very critical comment in the discussion.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

In the title track, Lizzo interpolates two elder singer-songwriters, Missy Elliott and Meredith Brooks, who each flipped the slur into biting hooks in the late nineties. — Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 11 June 2026

The score by Amine Bouhafa and Isabelle Laudenbach — the director’s sister, and also an accomplished flamenco guitarist — deftly interpolates scraps and strains of Bizet’s original compositions, stripped of operatic excess and given a folky lilt. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 31 May 2026

There are interpolated bits of backstory to explain character — Simon and Jack would be left at school over Christmas by their parents (abusive and cold, respectively). — Robert Lloyd, Boston Herald, 7 May 2026

Negative constraints activate the model’s guardrails and force it to report your limitations accurately rather than interpolate. 3. — Carter Rees, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Latin interpolatus, past participle of interpolare to refurbish, alter, interpolate, from inter- + -polare (from polire to polish)

Noun

Latin, from interpolatus + -or

First Known Use

Verb

1612, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Rhymes for interpolate

• abbreviate
• accelerate
• accommodate
• accumulate
• acuminate
• adjudicate
• adulterate
• affiliate
• agglomerate
• agglutinate
• alleviate
• amalgamate

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Kids Definition

interpolate

verb

in·​ter·​po·​late in-ˈtər-pə-ˌlāt 

interpolated; interpolating

1

: to alter (as a text) by inserting new matter

2

: to insert between other things or parts

interpolation

-ˌtər-pə-ˈlā-shən 

noun

interpolative

-ˈtər-pə-ˌlāt-iv 

adjective

interpolator

-ˌlāt-ər 

noun