interpret Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb make sense of; assign a meaning to
    see; construe.
    • What message do you see in this letter?
    • How do you interpret his behavior?
  2. verb give an interpretation or explanation to
    rede.
  3. verb give an interpretation or rendition of
    render.
    • The pianist rendered the Beethoven sonata beautifully
  4. verb create an image or likeness of
    represent.
    • The painter represented his wife as a young girl
  5. verb restate (words) from one language into another language
    translate; render.
    • I have to translate when my in-laws from Austria visit the U.S.
    • Can you interpret the speech of the visiting dignitaries?
    • She rendered the French poem into English
    • He translates for the U.N.
  6. verb make sense of a language
    read; translate; understand.
    • She understands French
    • Can you read Greek?

WordNet

In*ter"pret transitive verb
Etymology
F. interprêter, L. interpretari, p. p. interpretatus, fr. interpre interpeter, agent, negotiator; inter between + (prob.) the root of pretium price. See Price.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Interpreted; present participle & verbal noun Interpreting
Definitions
  1. To explain or tell the meaning of; to expound; to translate orally into intelligible or familiar language or terms; to decipher; to define; -- applied esp. to language, but also to dreams, signs, conduct, mysteries, etc.; as, to interpret the Hebrew language to an Englishman; to interpret an Indian speech.
    Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Matt. i. 23.
    And Pharaoh told them his dreams; but there was none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh. Gen. xli. 8.
  2. To apprehend and represent by means of art; to show by illustrative representation; as, an actor interprets the character of Hamlet; a musician interprets a sonata; an artist interprets a landscape. Syn. -- To translate; explain; solve; render; expound; elucidate; decipher; unfold; unravel.
In*ter"pret intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To act as an interpreter. Shak.

Webster 1913