in·ter·pret (?n-tûr?pr?t)v. in·ter·pret·ed, in·ter·pret·ing, in·ter·prets v.tr.1. To explain the meaning of: The newspapers interpreted the ambassador’s speech as an attempt at making peace. See Synonyms at explain.2. To understand the significance of; construe: interpreted his smile to be an agreement; interpreted the open door as an invitation.3. To present or conceptualize the meaning of by means of art or criticism: The actor interpreted the character with great subtlety.4. To translate from one language into another: interpreted the ambassador’s remarks for the assembly.v.intr. To serve as an interpreter for speakers of different languages.[Middle English interpreten, from Old French interpreter, from Latin interpret?r?, from interpres, interpret-, negotiator, explainer; see per- in Indo-European roots.]in·ter?pret·a·bil?i·ty, in·ter?pret·a·ble·ness n.in·ter?pret·a·ble adj.American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.