interpreter

noun

in·​ter·​pret·​er in-ˈtər-prə-tər 

-pə-

plural interpreters

1

: someone or something that interprets: such as

a

: someone who translates for individuals or groups conversing in different languages

an interpreter at the United Nations

a sign language interpreter

b

: someone who explains or expounds

Aside from his Nobel Prize-winning work on quantum electrodynamics (don't ask), [Richard P.] Feynman was an interpreter of Maya hieroglyphics …

—Pam Freir

2

a

: a machine that prints on punch cards the symbols recorded in them by perforations

b

: a computer program that executes each of a set of high-level instructions before going to the next instruction

Synonyms

• exponent
• expounder
• guru
• high priest
• practitioner

Examples of interpreter in a Sentence

He has now learned English well enough that he can conduct interviews without an interpreter.

Monet is generally regarded as the foremost interpreter of pure impressionism.

Recent Examples on the Web

Duke & Roya follows a love story between Duke, an American hip-hop star and Roya, an Afghan interpreter, who meet in Kabul and work to navigate their burgeoning relationship through the realities of their two different worlds. —Caitlin Huston, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Mar. 2025

Ohtani learned his former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, stole nearly $17 million from him to pay off gambling debts. —Adam Yamaguchi, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2025

The Russian citizen has been provided with an interpreter and a lawyer, with whom our employees also maintain constant contact. —Mark Davis, Newsweek, 15 Mar. 2025

Ohtani’s former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, was found to be stealing millions from the Dodgers star’s bank account to cover gambling losses. —Scott Thompson, Fox News, 6 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing interpreter

• through an interpreter

Kids Definition

interpreter

noun

in·​ter·​pret·​er in-ˈtər-prət-ər 

1

: one that interprets

especially : a person who translates orally for people speaking different languages

2

: a computer program that translates an instruction into machine language and executes it before going to the next instruction