Meaning & use
interpreted
Last updated
“interpreted” is a form of “interpret”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbtransitive
Decided what something means, especially when it could be understood in more than one way.
Grammar: Takes an object, often with as: she interpreted the silence as agreement.
Patterns
- interpret something as something
- interpret something to mean something
The coach interpreted her smile as a sign that she was ready to play.
Judges interpreted the law narrowly in that case.
He interpreted the data differently from his colleagues.
verbtransitive or intransitive
Translated spoken words from one language into another as the person was speaking.
Grammar: Can take an object or stand alone: she interpreted the speech; she interpreted for the delegation.
Patterns
- interpret for someone
- interpret something into a language
A volunteer interpreted the doctor's advice for the patient.
She interpreted for the delegation during the three-day conference.
The guide interpreted the story into English as he went along.
verbtransitive
Performed a piece of music, a role or a work of art in a way that shows your own understanding of it.
Grammar: Takes an object: she interpreted the sonata with great feeling.
Patterns
- interpret a piece of music
- interpret a role
The pianist interpreted the sonata in a slow, dreamy style.
The director interpreted the play as a comedy.
Each dancer interpreted the poem in her own way.
Word forms
| base form | interpret |
|---|---|
| third person singular | interprets |
| past participle | interpreted |
| -ing form | interpreting |
Common combinations
- interpreted as
- His silence was interpreted as agreement.
- widely interpreted
- The new rule has been widely interpreted as a tax cut.
- wrongly interpreted
- Her joke was wrongly interpreted as an insult.
- loosely interpreted
- The guidelines were loosely interpreted by local offices.
- interpreted the results
- The team interpreted the results with caution.
Synonyms and how they differ
- understood
- Understood is about grasping a meaning, while interpreted suggests choosing one reading when several are possible.
- construed
- Construed is more formal and often used of words or actions read in a particular way, while interpreted is more general.
- translated
- Translated usually means converting written text, while interpreted means converting speech as it happens.
- explained
- Explained means making something clear to others, while interpreted may be your own private reading of it.
Word family
- interpretation noun
- a particular way of understanding or performing something
- interpreter noun
- a person who translates speech aloud
- interpretive adjective
- relating to explaining or understanding meaning
- misinterpret verb
- to understand or explain something wrongly
Commonly confused: interpreted or translated?
interpreted vs translated
Translating usually refers to written text, while interpreting is done aloud in real time.
Practice
A man waved at her from far away, and she ___ it as a greeting. Which verb form completes the sentence?
Choose one answer.
The sentence is in the past, so the past form interpreted is needed. Interpretation is a noun and cannot follow the subject here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “interpreted”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.