SYNONYMS AND RELATED EXPRESSIONS
interpretation
noun
An explanation of what something means, or a particular way of presenting a work.
Local English device voice, when available. This is not a recorded dictionary pronunciation.
Explanation of meaning
Closest synonyms
Related words and expressions
These extend or explain the idea and may require a different sentence structure.
Usage distinction
Return to topAn interpretation is one way of making sense of material and may be open to disagreement.
Artistic presentation
Closest synonyms
Related words and expressions
These extend or explain the idea and may require a different sentence structure.
Usage distinction
Return to topAn artistic interpretation expresses a performer's understanding rather than merely reproducing the work mechanically.
CHECK THE MEANING IN CONTEXT
See interpretation in use
The essay offered a new interpretation of the poem's final image.
The ambiguity in the recycling club's notice, 'Bring bottles and bags with labels,' left volunteers unsure whether both kinds of container needed identification. Lina's interpretation required labels on the bags alone, while another volunteer understood the phrase as applying to everything.
Compare an alternative with the original word in each passage. Shared meanings do not make every pair interchangeable.
Synonym reference scope and sources
The groups distinguish the senses selected for this study entry. Closest synonyms and broader related expressions have separate labels. The listed sources support lexical selection; not every phrase is a direct quotation from a source.
How the synonym reference was prepared / WordNet 3.0 license