decipher

[dih-sahy-fer]

verb (used with object)

1. to make out the meaning of (poor or partially obliterated writing, etc.).

   to decipher a hastily scribbled note.

2. to discover the meaning of (anything obscure or difficult to trace or understand).

   to decipher hieroglyphics.

   Synonyms: explain, unravel, solve, comprehend

3. to interpret by the use of a key, as something written in cipher.

   to decipher a secret message.

4. Obsolete.,  to depict; portray.

decipher

/ dɪˈsaɪfə /

verb

1. to determine the meaning of (something obscure or illegible)

2. to convert from code into plain text; decode

Other Word Forms

• decipherable adjective
• decipherability noun
• decipherer noun
• decipherment noun
• undecipherable adjective
• undecipherably adverb
• undeciphered adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of decipher¹

First recorded in 1520–30; translation of Middle French déchiffrer; equivalent to de- + cipher

Example Sentences

Part of our role as credit investors is deciphering between the two.

Read more on Barron's

The repetitious process of packing up and settling into new places allowed her to easily decipher which tracks she wanted to keep pushing and which ones she would leave behind.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It's actually quite hard to decipher whether something has changed, because the Scottish government currently doesn't have an energy strategy.

Read more on BBC

Some have created internal “heat maps” to decipher which roles or tasks could be automated by AI.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

There is a false confidence in the ability of AI to decipher very complex systems such as the stock market.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• analyze 
• break down 
• decode 
• deduce 
• elucidate 
• interpret 
• solve 
• translate 
• unravel