noun
interpreter
in-TUR-pruh-ter/ɪnˈtɜːrprətər/
An agent that converts communicated instructions into an understood form.
The interpreter listens through headphones and translates the speaker's words.
Etymology
The verb means 'explain,' and the agent ending identifies the person doing it: an interpreter is historically an 'explainer.' In the selected sense, that role is fulfilled by conveying someone's meaning in another language.
In context
a hearing interpreter, who will then translate it to spoken English, and back and forth; a team of interpreters, Deaf and hearing.
More examples
- A sign language interpreter helps us follow the presentation.
- The hospital provides interpreters for patients who need language assistance.
- This interpreter runs the code without a separate compilation step.
Forms
interpreter · interpreters
interpret verb — Explain meaning or translate spoken or signed communication.
interpretation noun — An explanation or rendering of communicated meaning.
Similar words
- translator
- Often handles written text rather than live spoken communication.
- compiler
- Converts code before execution rather than carrying it out directly.