Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

interpret

/ɪnˈtɝ.pɹɪt/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 3.81 in modern English

Syllables: in-ter-pret
IPA: /ɪnˈtɝ.pɹɪt/

11

Scrabble Score

9

Letters

3

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

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.

verb

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.

verb

To apprehend and represent by means of art; to show by illustrative representation.

verb

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 verb

verb

To analyse or execute (a program) by reading the instructions as they are encountered, rather than compiling in advance.

Transitive verb

Example Sentences

"to interpret an Indian speech"
"The Holy Bible, Matthew i. 23. Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us."
"The Holy Bible, Genesis xli. 8. And Pharaoh told them his dreams; but there was none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh."
"The use of algorithms in policing is one example of their increasing influence on our lives.[…]who, if anyone, is policing their use[?] Such concerns were sharpened further by the continuing revelations about how the US National Security Agency (NSA) has been using algorithms to help it interpret the colossal amounts of data it has collected from its covert dragnet of international telecommunications."
"The actor interpreted the character of Hamlet with great skill."
"The way the musician interpreted a sonata was quite special."

Etymology

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.

Origin

Source language: Middle English

Word Breakdown

Root: interpreten, enterpreter, interpretor

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ɪnˈtɝ.pɹɪt/
British English: /ɪnˈtɜː.pɹɪt/

Usage

Inflected Forms

interprets (present, singular) interpreting (participle, present) interpreted (participle, past) interpreted (past)

Derived Forms

interpretory overinterpret preinterpret

Phrases

interpret away

Frequently Paired Words

interpretable interpretament interpretation interpretative interpret away interpreter interpretive interpretted

Synonyms

take understand construe translate explain solve render expound elucidate decipher unfold unravel

Rhymes With

misinterpret reinterpret

Questions

How do you pronounce interpret?: The recorded pronunciation is /ɪnˈtɝ.pɹɪt/.
What does interpret mean?: 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.
Where does interpret come from?: It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce interpret

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