ENGLISH
REFERENCE

interpret

v.
US //ˌɪnˈtɝpɹət// UK //ɪntˈɜːpɹɪt// in·ter·pret
  1. 1 to explain meaning (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Academic

    to decide what the intended meaning of something is, such as a law, a dream, or someone's behavior.

    to explain or establish the meaning or significance of something; to construe a particular sense from data, actions, or texts.

    Example

    Different people might interpret the same statistics in very different ways.

    Example

    The court was asked to interpret the ambiguous wording of the contract to determine if a breach of duty had occurred.

    Usage

    Often used with 'as' to describe the conclusion reached.
  2. 2 to translate orally (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to change spoken words from one language into another while someone is speaking.

    to translate orally or into sign language the words of a speaker in real time or near real time.

    Example

    She was hired to interpret for the visiting delegation during the factory tour.

    Example

    A professional was required to interpret the witness's testimony for the jury, ensuring that every nuance of the dialect was accurately conveyed.

    Usage

    Can be used intransitively or with an object representing the language or speech.
    Pitfall
    She translated the speech for the diplomat in real time.
    She interpreted the speech for the diplomat in real time.

    While 'translate' is a general term, 'interpret' specifically refers to oral or sign language translation performed as the speaker talks.

Show 2 more sensesShow fewer
  1. 3 artistic performance (v.)
    C1 Advanced Formal Theatre

    to perform a play, a piece of music, or a role in your own creative way.

    to represent or render a work of art or a dramatic role according to one's personal conception of the creator's ideas.

    Example

    The young pianist chose to interpret the piece much more slowly than usual.

    Example

    Critics praised the way the lead actor chose to interpret the villain as a tragic figure rather than a simple monster.

    Teacher's tip

    In this context, 'interpret' implies a level of creative choice by the performer.
  2. 4 computing (v.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Computing

    to run a computer program by reading and following the instructions one by one.

    to execute a program by translating and performing each instruction in sequence, rather than using a pre-compiled binary.

    Example

    Some programming languages are interpreted by the computer rather than compiled into a file.

    Example

    The script is interpreted line-by-line at runtime, which allows for greater flexibility but often results in slower execution speeds compared to compiled code.
Origin

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.

Idioms1 entry

© 2026 English Reference