Interpret
Interpret verb - To present a portrayal or performance of.
Usage example: interpreted the role of Fletcher Christian in a challengingly new way
Play is a synonym for interpret in define topic. In some cases you can use "Play" instead a verb "Interpret", when it comes to topics like performing arts.
Play
Play verb - To present a portrayal or performance of.
Usage example: played Hamlet in the campus production of the classic
Interpret is a synonym for play in act the part of topic. Sometimes you can use "Interpret" instead a verb "Play", if it concerns topics such as performing arts.
Common collocations
Both words in one sentence
- To counteract this, the citizens started to play so dumb as to interpret every metaphor literally.
Source: Cloudcuckooland - And depending on how far you're willing to interpret it, he basically orchestrates the entire play.
Source: Obfuscating Stupidity / Theatre -
Patrick Troughton and Frasier Hines were given a lot of room in how they wanted to play the Doctor and Jamie, and chose to interpret a lot of their scenes as if they were lovers.
Source: Bait-and-Switch Lesbians
Cite this Source
Play and Interpret. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 15, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/interpret/play
Interpret & Play. N.p., 2016. Web. 15 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/interpret/play>.
Play or Interpret. 2016. Accessed August 15, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/interpret/play.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "interpret" and "play" have occurred on timeline