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

Knowledge is passed down through generations, combined with an incredible ability to constantly reinterpret tradition. — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 21 Sep. 2026

There are a lot of entry points to it and there's almost a theatrical tradition to it where people keep reinterpreting and re-imagining her story. — Kalia Richardson, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2026

The rule has persisted through tradition, but even so, there are plenty of people who have reinterpreted this old-fashioned standard to wear white all year long. — Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 6 Sep. 2026

The United States should thus push everyone to reinterpret the benefit-sharing provisions in a more generous manner. — Anna Nelson, Foreign Affairs, 4 Sep. 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