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

Derived Forms

• deˌcipheraˈbility, noun
• deˈcipherable, adjective
• deˈcipherer, noun
• deˈcipherment, noun

Other Words From

• de·cipher·a·ble adjective
• de·cipher·a·bili·ty noun
• de·cipher·er noun
• de·cipher·ment noun
• unde·cipher·a·ble adjective
• unde·cipher·a·bly adverb
• unde·ciphered adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of decipher¹

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

Example Sentences

Q’s posts contain clues, and adherents are told to decipher the messages and do independent research to uncover the secrets.

From MIT Technology Review

Reading a scientific paper can sometimes feel like deciphering a wall of code.

From Popular-Science

Now, scientists are figuring out how, thanks to the first-ever deciphering, or sequencing, of the tuatara’s genetic instruction book.

From Science News

Like hand-drawn maps from early explorers sailing to the western hemisphere, these maps provide the brain’s geographical patterns from which we try to decipher functional connections.

From Singularity Hub 

Link receivers and providers can easily decipher sponsored links from “untrustworthy” nofollow links.

From Search Engine Watch

It was beyond the capacity of any human cryptologist to decipher the signals.

From The Daily Beast

I never owned a copy but I knew people who did, and we spent hours in dorm rooms trying to decipher what was on it.

From The Daily Beast

For those few months it may have appeared quite simple to decipher the good from the bad.

From The Daily Beast

The duchess sat at a replica radio to hear, learn about, and decipher morse code.

From The Daily Beast

After a brief exchange to decipher why Smith, Alencar, and Mousa wanted to go to Syria, the journalists told them to go home.

From The Daily Beast

The Greek character will now become easy to decipher; and the evening papers may take King Otho both off the throne and on.

From Project Gutenberg

She longed to penetrate below the surface and decipher the strange palimpsest of human life.

From Project Gutenberg

We do not propose that he shall decipher the hieroglyphics of algebra and geometry.

From Project Gutenberg

The printers were not compelled to decipher the peculiarities of anyone's handwriting; Stowe's copy was printed and punctuated.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr. Monk had been altogether unable to decipher the Duke's purpose in the question he had asked.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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