interpret
To explain or understand the meaning of something
Examples
In a meeting
“Different teams might interpret these requirements differently.”
Over coffee
“How do you interpret his comment about the party?”
Why this word
explain
Interpret involves analyzing and deriving meaning from something ambiguous or complex, while explain simply makes something clear
translate
Interpret applies broadly to deriving meaning from any source (data, art, events), while translate specifically refers to converting between languages
understand
Interpret is active and involves articulating one's reading of something, while understand is passive comprehension
Usage tip
Use when explaining subjective understanding or translating meaning
Etymology
Latin 'interpretari' from 'interpres' (agent, translator)
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Related words
broach
To bring up or introduce a topic for discussion
concise
Giving a lot of information clearly in few words.
ambiguous
Open to more than one interpretation; not clear or decided.
convey
To communicate or make an idea, feeling, or meaning known.
reiterate
To say something again for emphasis or clarity.
paraphrase
To restate something in different words to make it clearer or shorter.