interpretation

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "interpretation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an act or the process of giving the meaning of something, especially words or symbols, or to a particular way of understanding or explaining something. For example: "My interpretation of the painting was quite different from the artist's original intent."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's enigmatic and open to interpretation, and is the cover that works so well for The Endless River".

The Guardian - Music

The defence offered by one of the latest care employers to be named and shamed, East Midlands Crossroads – Caring for Carers, that the rules are "complex, in parts ambiguous and open to interpretation", does not sound good.

The Guardian

My interpretation is that this is difficult and uncomfortable for them.

The Guardian - Tech

Week 3: Workshop focusing on character and dialogue - Tuesday 22nd September The discussion will include naturalism and authenticity, restriction, identity, reliability, sympathy, time and transformation, cliché, observation and detail, interiority and exteriority, activity and psychology, and reader interpretation.

The Guardian

Back in Georgetown, waiting for a taxi to the airport, we do a last-minute dash around the street stalls: all I salvage are an oil painting of the Kaieteur Falls (a rather Surrealist interpretation), a shell necklace, a woven basket and as much El Dorado rum as possible, before the plane carries us to a connecting flight at Barbados, and the waters change from brown to a shock of bright blue.

The Guardian - Travel

This is why the extreme interpretation of Russia's emphasis on new federal arrangements, which is that they would facilitate Russian control of the east, is almost certainly wrong.

The Guardian - Opinion

Our objective has been to produce the most accessible, elegant interpretation of the Guardian newspaper for iPad and we hope we're close to achieving that aim.

The Guardian

That's the rose-tinted interpretation – and it's one I want to believe.

The Guardian

O'Donnell questioned the prime minister's interpretation of the constitutional convention when he indicated that the leader of the largest party does not automatically become prime minister.

The Guardian

On the best interpretation Powell, a man of strong imperialist sympathies, was ungenerous in treating the post-imperial human legacy with such cynical or at least selfish disregard.

The Guardian

How did you come to that interpretation of their characters?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "interpretation", consider the context and specify whose interpretation you are referring to, to avoid ambiguity. For example, "the author's interpretation" or "a legal interpretation".

Common error

Avoid presenting your "interpretation" as the only possible one. Acknowledge that other valid interpretations may exist, especially in subjective or complex topics.

Linguistic Context

The word “interpretation” primarily functions as a noun, referring to the act of explaining, understanding, or translating something. It denotes a particular understanding or explanation, as exemplified by Ludwig's examples of "various interpretations of the same passage of Scripture".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The noun "interpretation" denotes the act of explaining, understanding, or translating something, embodying a particular viewpoint or explanation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across varied contexts, especially in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Scientific domains. When using "interpretation", specifying the subject or source of "interpretation" is vital for clarity. While synonyms like "understanding" and "explanation" offer alternatives, the choice depends heavily on context. Mastering the nuanced usage of "interpretation" enhances effective communication, ensuring clarity and precision in expressing one's understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

understanding

Focuses on the cognitive process of comprehending something.

explanation

Emphasizes the act of making something clear and understandable.

reading

Suggests a particular way of understanding or analyzing something.

rendering

Implies a specific portrayal or version of something.

construal

Highlights the process of interpreting the meaning of something in a particular way.

take on

Indicates a personal perspective or viewpoint.

version

Refers to a specific account or representation of something.

account

Offers a detailed description or report of something.

perspective

Highlights a specific point of view or angle.

analysis

Focuses on a detailed examination of the elements or structure of something.

FAQs

How can I use "interpretation" in a sentence?

You can use "interpretation" to refer to the act of explaining the meaning of something or a particular understanding of it. For example, "His "interpretation" of the poem was insightful."

What are some alternatives to the word "interpretation"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "understanding", "explanation", or "perspective" as replacements for "interpretation".

What's the difference between "interpretation" and "translation"?

"Interpretation" involves understanding and explaining the meaning of something, while "translation" focuses on converting text from one language to another. Although, in some contexts, "translation" can be a type of interpretation.

Is it correct to say "a interpretation" or "an interpretation"?

It is correct to say "an interpretation" because "interpretation" starts with a vowel sound. Use "an" before words that begin with a vowel sound.