decipher

verb

de·​ci·​pher dē-ˈsī-fər 

deciphered; deciphering; deciphers

transitive verb

1

: decode sense 1a

decipher a secret message

2

obsolete : depict

with her majesty's name deciphered in gold letters

—Jonathan Swift

3

a

: to make out the meaning of despite indistinctness or obscurity

trying to decipher her handwriting

b

: to interpret the meaning of

decipher the poem

decipherable

dē-ˈsī-f(ə-)rə-bəl 

adjective

decipherer

dē-ˈsī-fər-ər 

noun

decipherment

dē-ˈsī-fər-mənt 

noun

Synonyms

• break
• crack
• decode
• decrypt

Examples of decipher in a Sentence

I couldn't decipher his sloppy handwriting.

we deciphered the hidden message to find out when we were supposed to meet

Recent Examples on the Web

Unlike cuneiform, only about half of proto cuneiform symbols have been deciphered so far. —Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 6 Nov. 2024

Groups are trying to decipher what the ruling means for other proposals to connect power-hungry data centers with America's single largest source of zero-emissions 24/7 electricity. —Alan Neuhauser, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024

To decipher the speed, look for miles per hour (mph) and cubic feet per minute (cfm) listed in the product description. —Sandi Schwartz, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Nov. 2024

For decades, scientists have tried to decipher why exactly humans cut lines. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1545, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

decipher

verb

de·​ci·​pher di-ˈsī-fər 

1

: to convert into understandable form

especially : decode

2

: to make out the meaning of despite lack of clearness

decipher sloppy handwriting

decipherable

-f(ə-)rə-bəl 

adjective

decipherment

-fər-mənt 

noun