interpret interpret /ˌɪnˈtɝːprət/

verb

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