What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
exegesis
Example
The professor's exegesis of the Bible passage shed new light on its historical context. [exegesis: noun]
Example
She spent hours doing exegesis on the poem to fully understand its themes and symbolism. [exegesis: noun]
interpretation
Example
His interpretation of the painting was that it represented the struggle between good and evil. [interpretation: noun]
Example
She interpreted the French sentence as meaning 'I am going to the store.' [interpreted: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Interpretation is a more commonly used term than exegesis in everyday language. Interpretation is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while exegesis is less common and typically used in academic or religious settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between exegesis and interpretation?
Exegesis is typically associated with a formal and technical tone, while interpretation can be used in both formal and informal contexts, allowing it to be more versatile in terms of formality level.
