top of page
The Complete Vocabulary Builder Workbook by BETTER WORDS R. B. Skinner
5 gold stars

4.8

Add 3,700 must-know words to your vocabulary.

All-in-one: dictionary, thesaurus, & workbook.

 632 pages, 147 lessons, 428 practical activities.

 Suitable for students & professionals of all ages.​​​​​​​​

 Ideal preparation for: TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS, SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, CPE, BEC, PTE, FCE

​​​​​Amazon Best Seller:

#1 Spelling & Vocabulary.

#1 Education TOEFL & TOEIC.

#1 Slang & Idiom Reference Books.

Transform Your Vocabulary Today!

construe

IPA:

How to pronounce construe (audio)

Dictionary definition of construe

To interpret, understand or explain something it in a particular way.
"The judge warned the jury not to construe the evidence in a biased manner."

Detailed meaning of construe

Construe is a verb that refers to the act of interpreting, understanding, or explaining something, often in a certain way. It is the process of interpreting or understanding the meaning of something, often in a specific context or perspective. To construe something is to give it a certain meaning, or to understand it in a particular way. It can also refer to the act of interpreting or understanding something in a certain context, or with a certain bias.

In everyday language, construe is often used to describe the process of interpreting or understanding the meaning of something, such as a statement, a text, or a situation. It can also be used to describe the act of interpreting or understanding something in a particular context or perspective.

In legal contexts, construe refers to the act of interpreting or understanding the meaning of a legal document or statute, it is the process of interpreting or understanding the meaning of something, often in a specific context or perspective.

In general, construe refers to the act of interpreting, understanding, or explaining something, it is the process of interpreting or understanding the meaning of something, often in a specific context or perspective, and giving it a certain meaning. It can be used in many different contexts such as literature, law, conversation, or any situation where the meaning of something needs to be understood.

Example sentences containing construe

1. He tried to construe her cryptic message but couldn't decipher it.
2. You can construe her silence as agreement.
3. It's easy to construe his actions as a sign of goodwill.
4. They may construe your absence as a lack of interest.
5. The lawyer will construe the contract to protect your rights.
6. How do you construe the meaning of that ancient text?

History and etymology of construe

The verb 'construe' has its etymological roots in Latin, tracing back to the word 'construere,' which means 'to build' or 'to construct.' In Latin, 'construere' was used both in the literal sense of building physical structures and in a more figurative sense of constructing meaning through language and interpretation. As it transitioned into Middle English, 'construe' took on the sense of interpreting or understanding something, particularly in a specific way. This evolution in meaning highlights the idea that when we interpret or 'construe' something, we are, in a sense, constructing our understanding of it, just as one might construct a building. Thus, the etymology of 'construe' reflects its role in the process of interpreting and explaining things according to one's perspective or understanding.

Quiz: Find the meaning of the verb construe:

Try Again!

Correct!

Further usage examples of construe

1. She was quick to construe his apology as insincere.
2. It's important to construe the data accurately for analysis.
3. The media may construe your words differently than intended.
4. The historian attempted to construe the events of the past.
5. Can you construe the artist's intention behind this painting?
6. We should construe their criticism as constructive feedback.
7. Misunderstandings can arise when people construe text messages.
8. The teacher encouraged students to construe the poem deeply.
9. It's challenging to construe the motives behind their actions.
10. Let's construe the findings of this study carefully.
11. The jury must construe the evidence to reach a verdict.
12. You can construe his behavior as a sign of nervousness.
13. It's essential to construe legal documents accurately.
14. She tried to construe the meaning of the ancient runes.
15. The lawyer attempted to construe the contract in a way that favored their client.
16. The audience was invited to construe the meaning of the abstract artwork.
17. The teacher asked the students to construe the historical events in their own words.
18. The analyst tried to construe the data in a way that supported their hypothesis.
19. The philosopher attempted to construe the essence of reality through philosophical inquiry.
20. The psychologist asked the patient to construe their feelings and thoughts in a journal.
21. The interpreter was tasked with construing the words of the speaker into another language.
22. The detective attempted to construe the events leading up to the crime.
23. The artist invited the viewer to construe their own interpretation of the paintings.
24. The economist attempted to construe the trends in the market data.
25. The writer asked the reader to construe the symbolism in their works.

GRE 14 (Graduate Record Examination), Analysis and Reasoning, Nuance and Precision, Perception and Perspicacity, Decision and Discretion, Judgement and Decision-Making

clarify,illustrate,infer

define,demonstrate,parse,read,translate

interpret, misunderstand, misconstrue, misinterpret

eb68db_0a4881c5245b4171b6e3c74bafd956ca.mp3

bottom of page