First Known Use: 1612
Dictionary
interpolate
verb in·ter·po·late \in-ˈtər-pə-ˌlāt\
: to put (something) between other things or parts; especially : to put (words) into a piece of writing or a conversation
in·ter·po·lat·edin·ter·po·lat·ing
Full Definition of INTERPOLATE
transitive verb
1
a : to alter or corrupt (as a text) by inserting new or foreign matter b : to insert (words) into a text or into a conversation
2
: to insert between other things or parts : intercalate
3
: to estimate values of (data or a function) between two known values
intransitive verb
: to make insertions (as of estimated values)
— in·ter·po·la·tion \-ˌtər-pə-ˈlā-shən\ noun
— in·ter·po·la·tive \-ˈtər-pə-ˌlā-tiv\ adjective
— in·ter·po·la·tor \-ˌlā-tər\ noun
See interpolate defined for English-language learners
See interpolate defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of INTERPOLATE
Latin interpolatus, past participle of interpolare to refurbish, alter, interpolate, from inter- + -polare (from polire to polish)
Related to INTERPOLATE
- Synonyms
- edge in, fit (in or into), inject, insinuate, intercalate, interject, insert, interpose, intersperse, introduce, sandwich (in or between), work in
Synonym Discussion of INTERPOLATE
introduce, insert, insinuate, interpolate, intercalate, interpose, interject mean to put between or among others. introduce is a general term for bringing or placing a thing or person into a group or body already in existence <introduced a new topic into the conversation>. insert implies putting into a fixed or open space between or among <inserted a clause in the contract>. insinuate implies introducing gradually or by gentle pressure <insinuated himself into the group>. interpolate applies to the inserting of something extraneous or spurious <interpolated her own comments into the report>. intercalate suggests an intrusive inserting of something in an existing series or sequence <new chapters intercalated with the old>. interpose suggests inserting an obstruction or cause of delay <interpose barriers to communication>. interject implies an abrupt or forced introduction <interjected a question>.
Rhymes with INTERPOLATE
abbreviate, abominate, accelerate, accentuate, accommodate, acculturate, accumulate, adjudicate, adulterate, affiliate, agglomerate, alienate, alleviate, alliterate, amalgamate, ameliorate, amyl nitrate, annihilate, annunciate, anticipate, apostolate, appreciate, appropriate, approximate, arpeggiate, articulate, asphyxiate, assassinate, asseverate, assimilate, associate, at any rate, attenuate, authenticate, barbiturate, bicarbonate, calumniate, capacitate, capitulate, catholicate, certificate, coagulate, coelenterate, collaborate, commemorate, commiserate, communicate, compassionate, concatenate, conciliate, confabulate, confederate, conglomerate, congratulate, consolidate, contaminate, cooperate, coordinate, corroborate, deactivate, debilitate, decapitate, decelerate, decerebrate, deconcentrate, deconsecrate, decorticate, decrepitate, de-escalate, defibrinate, defoliate, degenerate, deliberate, delineate, demodulate, denominate, depopulate, depreciate, deracinate, deregulate, desegregate, desiderate, detoxicate, devaluate, diaconate, dilapidate, discriminate, disintegrate, disseminate, dissimulate, dissociate, domesticate, effectuate, ejaculate, elaborate, electroplate, eliminate, elucidate, emaciate, emancipate, emasculate, encapsulate, enumerate, enunciate, episcopate, equivocate, eradicate, etiolate, evacuate, evaluate, evaporate, eventuate, eviscerate, exacerbate, exaggerate, exasperate, excited state, excogitate, excoriate, exfoliate, exhilarate, exonerate, expatiate, expatriate, expectorate, expostulate, expropriate, extenuate, exterminate, extrapolate, facilitate, felicitate, fish or cut bait, garrison state, gesticulate, habilitate, habituate, hallucinate, humiliate, hydrogenate, hypothecate, illuminate, impersonate, inactivate, inaugurate, incarcerate, incinerate, incorporate, incriminate, indoctrinate, inebriate, infatuate, infuriate, ingratiate, ingurgitate, initiate, inoculate, inseminate, insinuate, instantiate, intercalate, interrelate, interrogate, intimidate, intoxicate, invalidate, investigate, invigorate, irradiate, Italianate, Korea Strait, lanceolate, legitimate, luxuriate, mandarinate, manipulate, matriarchate, matriculate, Merthiolate, necessitate, negotiate, noncandidate, obliterate, officiate, Orange Free State, orientate, originate, oxygenate, participate, particulate, patriarchate, patriciate, perambulate, peregrinate, perpetuate, pontificate, precipitate, predestinate, predominate, prefabricate, premeditate, preponderate, prevaricate, procrastinate, prognosticate, proliferate, propitiate, proportionate, quadruplicate, quintuplicate, reciprocate, recriminate, recuperate, redecorate, reduplicate, reeducate, refrigerate, regenerate, regurgitate, reincarnate, reintegrate, reiterate, rejuvenate, remunerate, repatriate, repudiate, resuscitate, retaliate, reticulate, revaluate, reverberate, scholasticate, second estate, self-flagellate, self-immolate, self-pollinate, seventy-eight, sextuplicate, Singapore Strait, sophisticate, subordinate, substantiate, syllabicate, tergiversate, transliterate, triangulate, vanity plate, variegate, vaticinate, vituperate, vociferate
Learn More About INTERPOLATE
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: interpolaterPrevious Word in the Dictionary: interpolarAll Words Near: interpolate
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up interpolate? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).