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interpret

in·ter·pret

interpret

 
 
pronunciation:
ihn tuhr priht
parts of speech:
transitive verb, intransitive verb
features:
Word Combinations (verb), Word Explorer, Word Parts
part of speech: transitive verb
inflections: interprets, interpreting, interpreted
definition 1: to determine or explain the meaning of.
These lines of the poem are somewhat hard to interpret.
 
synonyms:
clarify, elucidate, explain
similar words:
comprehend, decipher, explicate, translate, understand, unravel
definition 2: to understand in a particular way.
I interpreted her silence as disagreement with my idea.She interpreted his failure to telephone her as a rejection.
synonyms:
construe, understand
similar words:
define, diagnose, read, see
definition 3: to make visible or audible the meaning of (a drama, musical composition, or the like) through performance.
The pianist interpreted the piece in a way I had never heard before.
synonyms:
depict, render, represent
similar words:
perform, portray
definition 4: to translate (speech) from one language into another.
I understand French, but sometimes I'm unable to interpret what I hear into English.
similar words:
construe, render, translate
 
part of speech: intransitive verb
definition 1: to provide an explanation.
We don't understand what all the fuss is about; could you interpret for us?
synonyms:
elucidate, explain
definition 2: to serve as a translator from one language into another.
She interprets at the United Nations.
similar words:
translate
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derivations: interpretable (adj.), interpretability (n.), interpreter (n.)
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  language, theater
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