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ENGLISH · A WORD WITH POSSIBILITIES

interpret.

To decode the meaning of a topic and then act, whether to continue researching the topic, follow through, act in opposition, or further the understanding through sharing an interpretation.

9 characters3 syllables approx.English language

Meaning & usage

verb/ɪnˈtɜː.pɹɪt/Received-Pronunciation/ɪnˈtɝ.pɹɪt/Canada, General-American/ɪnˈtɜː.pɹɪt/California[ɛnˈtɝ.pɹɛt]California
  1. To decode the meaning of a topic and then act, whether to continue researching the topic, follow through, act in opposition, or further the understanding through sharing an interpretation.

  2. To explain or tell the meaning of; to translate orally into intelligible or familiar language or terms. applied especially to language, but also to dreams, signs, conduct, mysteries, etc.

    to interpret an Indian speech
  3. To apprehend and represent by means of art; to show by illustrative representation.

    The actor interpreted the character of Hamlet with great skill.
    The way the musician interpreted a sonata was quite special.
  4. To convey what a user of one language is saying or signing, in real time or shortly after that person has finished communicating, to a user of a different language.

    intransitive
    He interpreted at the meeting between the Chinese and French associates.
  5. To analyse or execute (a program) by reading the instructions as they are encountered, rather than compiling in advance.

    transitive
Where this word comes from

From Middle English interpreten, from Old French enterpreter, (French interpréter), from Latin interpretor (“to explain, expound, interpret”), past participle interpretatus, from interpres (“an agent, broker, explainer, interpreter, negotiator”), from inter (“between”) + -pres, probably the root of pretium (“price”); -pres is probably connected with Ancient Greek φράζειν (phrázein, “to point out, show, explain, declare, speak”), from which φραδή (phradḗ, “understanding”), φράσις (phrásis, “speech”); see phrase.

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Definitions, grammatical labels, IPA, etymology and examples: Wiktionary contributors, extracted by Kaikki / Wiktextract. Adapted under CC BY-SA 4.0. Selected fields and authored examples are shown; third-party quotations and audio are omitted. See contributor history.

Last enriched 2026-09-10. Definitions are in English. Romanizations are shown when supplied by the source; syllable estimates are omitted for unsupported scripts.