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Word a Day

construe

verb · Level 3 · Advanced

What does construe mean?

construe (verb): to understand (something) as meaning, to take to mean.

Definition: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where does construe come from?

From Middle English construen, from Late Latin construo, construere (“to relate grammatically”), from Latin construo (“pile together”); doublet of construct.

Etymology: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.

What are synonyms of construe?

From Princeton WordNet 3.1.

Test yourself: do you know “construe”?

Tap an answer to check it. The same questions the app asks.

What does “construe” mean?

to understand (something) as meaning, to take to mean

Right! That's what “construe” means.

to work together with others to achieve a common goal

Not quite: that's what collaborate means.

to strengthen, especially by addition or augmentation

Not quite: that's what reinforce means.

to speak in order for someone to write down the words

Not quite: that's what dictate means.

Which word is closest in meaning to “construe”?

implement

Not quite: implement means something else.

apologize

Not quite: apologize means something else.

interpret

Right!

highlight

Not quite: highlight means something else.

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