interpret
/ɪnˈtɜː.prɪt/- 1.
To find or explain the meaning of something — such as words, data, actions, or art — especially when that meaning is not immediately obvious. It involves active thinking and judgment.
- How do you interpret the final line of this poem?
- Scientists interpreted the data as evidence of warming.
- She interpreted his silence as a sign of disagreement.
- 2.
To translate spoken words from one language into another in real time, usually at a meeting, conference, or official event.
- He interpreted for the foreign delegates at the summit.
- She was hired to interpret the minister's speech live.
Adinary Nuance
Interpret sits in a cluster of near-neighbors — explain, translate, construe, and understand — but each has a distinct angle. When you explain, you make something clear to another person; when you interpret, you first work out the meaning yourself, often from ambiguous evidence like data, gestures, or a poem. Translate is the right word for converting written text between languages, while interpret is preferred for live, spoken translation. Construe is a formal near-synonym found mainly in legal and academic writing ("the clause was construed narrowly"), while interpret works across everyday, academic, and professional contexts. For IELTS candidates writing about charts or research, "the graph can be interpreted as…" is exactly the register markers expect.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- Diễn giải / Thông dịch
- Spanish
- Interpretar
- Chinese
- 解释
- Japanese
- 解釈する
- Korean
- 해석하다
Etymology
From Latin "interpretari" (to explain, translate), via Old French "interpreter". The Latin root "interpres" meant a go-between or negotiator. The word entered English in the late 14th century.
Common phrases
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between 'interpret' and 'translate'?
- 'Translate' usually refers to converting written text from one language to another. 'Interpret' is the standard word for converting spoken language live, and also for finding the meaning of data, art, actions, or ambiguous statements.
- Is 'interpret' suitable for academic and IELTS writing?
- Yes — 'interpret' is a strong academic word. In IELTS Task 1, phrases like 'the data can be interpreted as…' or 'this trend is interpreted to mean…' fit the formal register well.
- What is the noun form of 'interpret'?
- The noun forms are 'interpretation' (the act or result of interpreting something) and 'interpreter' (a person who interprets, especially spoken language).
- Can 'interpret' be used for body language or facial expressions?
- Yes, completely naturally. 'She interpreted his frown as disapproval' is correct and common. 'Interpret' works whenever you are reading meaning from any kind of signal, not just words.