interpret

verb

in·​ter·​pret in-ˈtər-prət How to pronounce interpret (audio)
-pət
interpreted; interpreting; interprets

transitive verb

1
: to explain or tell the meaning of : present in understandable terms
interpret dreams
needed help interpreting the results
2
: to conceive in the light of individual belief, judgment, or circumstance : construe
interpret a contract
3
: to represent by means of art : bring to realization by performance or direction
interprets a role

intransitive verb

: to act as an interpreter between speakers of different languages
interpretability noun
interpretable adjective
Choose the Right Synonym for interpret

explain, expound, explicate, elucidate, interpret mean to make something clear or understandable.

explain implies a making plain or intelligible what is not immediately obvious or entirely known.

explain the rules

expound implies a careful often elaborate explanation.

expounding a scientific theory

explicate adds the idea of a developed or detailed analysis.

explicate a poem

elucidate stresses the throwing of light upon as by offering details or motives previously unclear or only implicit.

elucidate an obscure passage

interpret adds to explain the need for imagination or sympathy or special knowledge in dealing with something.

interpreting a work of art

Examples of interpret in a Sentence

We need someone to interpret these results for us. How should we interpret the law? I interpreted his behavior to mean that he disliked me. Every actor interprets the role of Hamlet a little differently.
Recent Examples on the Web Younger fans, though, may well interpret it differently. Rory Smith, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2024 Moscow’s popular mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, was the nominee for Putin’s United Russia party in his reelection campaign last year, despite running as an independent before — a move interpreted by critics as designed to stunt his political growth in a city where the ruling party is less popular. Adam Taylor, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2024 That repetition by employees at Figure that their robot isn’t being operated by a human can only be interpreted as a dig at Musk, who recently sued OpenAI. Matt Novak / Gizmodo, Quartz, 14 Mar. 2024 In northwestern Europe, for example, ancient stone carvings often display spiral patterns that are sometimes interpreted as representing the sun, and possibly a solar eclipse. Dan Falk, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Mar. 2024 The populist government interpreted neutrality as favoring the previous government and thus required that impartial officials be removed. Foreign Affairs, 12 Mar. 2024 But how do main street bank customers interpret this data? Nicole Goodkind, CNN, 11 Mar. 2024 Jim Leslie and the University of Dayton Jazztet interpret hot hits from these legendary masters. Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 10 Mar. 2024 The poem can also be interpreted more generally: Dew is a symbol of human life, and the fall of cherry blossoms a metaphor for death. Małgorzata (gosia) K. Citko-Duplantis, The Conversation, 7 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'interpret.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French interpreter, from Latin interpretari, from interpret-, interpres agent, negotiator, interpreter

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of interpret was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near interpret

Cite this Entry

“Interpret.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interpret. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

interpret

verb
in·​ter·​pret in-ˈtər-prət How to pronounce interpret (audio)
1
: to explain the meaning of
interpret a dream
2
: to understand according to one's own belief or judgment
interpret an act as unfriendly
3
: to bring out the meaning of by performing
an actor interprets a role
4
: to translate for speakers of different languages
interpretable adjective

Legal Definition

interpret

transitive verb
in·​ter·​pret in-ˈtər-prət How to pronounce interpret (audio)
: to explain or tell the meaning of (as a document) especially in order to determine intent
they must interpret the provisions of the ConstitutionL. H. Tribe

More from Merriam-Webster on interpret

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!