interpreter

noun

in·​ter·​pret·​er in-ˈtər-prə-tər 

-pə-

plural interpreters

1

: someone or something that interprets: such as

a

: someone who translates for individuals or groups conversing in different languages

an interpreter at the United Nations

a sign language interpreter

b

: someone who explains or expounds

Aside from his Nobel Prize-winning work on quantum electrodynamics (don't ask), [Richard P.] Feynman was an interpreter of Maya hieroglyphics …

—Pam Freir

2

a

: a machine that prints on punch cards the symbols recorded in them by perforations

b

: a computer program that executes each of a set of high-level instructions before going to the next instruction

Synonyms of interpreter

• practitioner
• exponent

Examples of interpreter in a Sentence

He has now learned English well enough that he can conduct interviews without an interpreter.

Monet is generally regarded as the foremost interpreter of pure impressionism.

Recent Examples on the Web

Accompanying him is Erika (Sandra Hüller), his daughter and fellow writer, who begrudgingly serves as interpreter, personal assistant and driver. — Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026

Anderson was heralded as an interpreter of songs, like his friends and mentors Haggard and Jones. — Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2026

Onstage interpreters at the WOTY vote are quick to translate neologisms in real time, but there’s no one-to-one equivalent between a word and a sign. — New York Times, 22 Oct. 2026

And February’s annual Festival du Voyageur is one of Canada’s largest winter festivals, featuring huge snow sculptures, music, and cultural interpreters who bring the fur-trade era to life. — Terry Ward, Travel + Leisure, 17 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing interpreter

• through an interpreter

Kids Definition

interpreter

noun

in·​ter·​pret·​er in-ˈtər-prət-ər 

1

: one that interprets

especially : a person who translates orally for people speaking different languages

2

: a computer program that translates an instruction into machine language and executes it before going to the next instruction