reinterpret

1 of 2

verb

re·​in·​ter·​pret ˌrē-ən-ˈtər-prət 

-pət

reinterpreted; reinterpreting; reinterprets

transitive verb

: to interpret again

specifically : to give a new or different interpretation to

reinterpretation

ˌrē-ən-ˌtər-prə-ˈtā-shən 

-pə-

noun

reinterpretation

2 of 2

noun

re·​interpretation "+ 

: the action of reinterpreting or the state of being reinterpreted

reinterpretation of borrowed behavior patterns

—Ralph Linton

the scholarly revaluation and reinterpretation of form

—Yale Review

Examples of reinterpret in a Sentence

Verb

New information may force us to reinterpret the evidence.

The director wants to reinterpret the old play for a modern audience.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Today’s tennis necklace reinterprets the design with uniform diamonds, clean lines and flexible settings. — Pooja Mistry, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026

The architect’s duty is not merely to replicate things from the past, but to reinterpret them. — Jeffrey Dungan, Southern Living, 19 Aug. 2026

In addition, Valens’ music will be reinterpreted live by Chicano performers from Thee Sinseers, The Altons, Shannon and the Clams and The McCharmlys, among others. — Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026

The shift toward more complex scents is evident in the way fragrance houses are reinterpreting gourmand notes. — Danielle James, Vogue, 14 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

re- + interpretation

First Known Use

Verb

1611, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for reinterpret

• interpret
• misinterpret

Kids Definition

reinterpret

verb

re·​in·​ter·​pret ˌrē-ən-ˈtər-prət 

: to interpret again

especially : to give a new or different interpretation to

reinterpretation

-ˌtər-prə-ˈtā-shən 

noun