interpretative

IPA/ɪnˈtɜːprətətɪv/
IPA/ɪnˈtɜːrprəteɪtɪv/

interpretative — adjective

  • interpretativepositive
  • more interpretativecomparative
  • most interpretativesuperlative

1. used to describe comments, writing, or activities that explain what something me

1.adjectiveC2
Definition

used to describe comments, writing, or activities that explain what something means or present one way of understanding it.

Example

Ari wrote an interpretative note beside the poem's final line.

interpretative + note/comment for explaining meaning

The guide gave an interpretative talk about the symbols in the painting.

Common collocations
  • interpretative essay
  • interpretative question
  • interpretative note
  • interpretative talk
  • interpretative signs
Synonyms
  • interpretive

    nearly the same in meaning, but more common in modern everyday and academic use.

  • explanatory

    stresses making something easier to understand, while 'interpretative' can include a more personal or analytical reading.

  • analytical

    focuses on careful breakdown into parts; 'interpretative' focuses more on meaning and reading.

Antonyms
  • literal

    keeps close to the surface wording instead of offering a broader reading.

  • descriptive

    reports what is there without necessarily explaining its meaning.

Grammar Patterns

interpretative + noun

Usage Note

Usually appears before nouns such as essay, question, note, talk, or sign. It often suggests more than simple description, because the speaker or writer is offering a way to understand the meaning.

Common Mistakes

The museum bought an interpretative bench.
The museum put up interpretative signs.
'interpretative' describes material that helps explain meaning, not the physical object being described.
The teacher asked for an interpretative of the speech.
The teacher asked for an interpretative reading of the speech.
the word is an adjective, so it needs a noun such as reading, essay, or comment.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

'Interpretative' and 'interpretive' are extremely close, but 'interpretive' is the form many speakers now choose more often in ordinary academic and arts writing. Both words suggest that someone is offering a reading of meaning, not just reporting facts. 'Explanatory' is more neutral and usually stresses helping people understand something clearly. 'Analytical' points to careful examination of parts or evidence, but it does not always imply a personal reading of meaning. A teacher might give an explanatory note on grammar, an analytical comment on structure, and an interpretative reading of what the poem is trying to say.

interpretative ↗interpretive ↗explanatory ↗analytical ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • interpretative reading of
  • interpretative essay on
  • interpretative signs for

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Interpretative is built from 'interpret', a word English received through French from Latin. The Latin verb behind it, interpretari, meant 'to explain' or 'to translate'. The ending '-ative' forms an adjective, so the modern word describes something that gives an explanation or offers a way of understanding meaning.