interpret
verb
in·ter·pret
in-ˈtər-prət 
-pət
interpreted; interpreting; interprets
1
: to explain or tell the meaning of : present in understandable terms
interpret dreams
needed help interpreting the results
2
: to conceive in the light of individual belief, judgment, or circumstance : construe
interpret a contract
3
: to represent by means of art : bring to realization by performance or direction
interprets a role
: to act as an interpreter between speakers of different languages
Examples of interpret in a Sentence
We need someone to interpret these results for us.
How should we interpret the law?
I interpreted his behavior to mean that he disliked me.
Every actor interprets the role of Hamlet a little differently.
Recent Examples on the Web
Collins explains why they haven’t been given their due and their contributions have been interpreted as opposition to the current state of the workplace.
—
Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
Meanwhile, social media commenters are interpreting the shift as a sign of the times.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 June 2025
Those revelations are also evidence of the directors’ struggle to interpret these hijinks as psychologically revealing, not just wickedly gruesome.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 30 May 2025
This project aims to map, excavate, and interpret wall structures in the hopes of understanding more about the societies that lived near the walls.
—Stephanie Edwards, Discover Magazine, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for interpret
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Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
Meanwhile, social media commenters are interpreting the shift as a sign of the times.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 June 2025
Those revelations are also evidence of the directors’ struggle to interpret these hijinks as psychologically revealing, not just wickedly gruesome.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 30 May 2025
This project aims to map, excavate, and interpret wall structures in the hopes of understanding more about the societies that lived near the walls.
—Stephanie Edwards, Discover Magazine, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for interpret
Cite this Entry
“Interpret.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interpret. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
interpret
verb
in·ter·pret
in-ˈtər-prət
1
: to explain the meaning of
interpret a dream
2
: to understand according to one's own belief or judgment
interpret an act as unfriendly
3
: to bring out the meaning of by performing
an actor interprets a role
4
: to translate for speakers of different languages
Legal Definition
interpret
transitive verb
in·ter·pret
in-ˈtər-prət
: to explain or tell the meaning of (as a document) especially in order to determine intent
they must interpret the provisions of the Constitution—L. H. Tribe
L. H. TribeLove words? Need even more definitions?
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