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

On paper, the perfect match might not be difficult to decipher, and Lucy very much looks at the numbers. —Jessica Wang, EW.com, 2 May 2025

Sentiment analysis deciphers client emotions in email and on websites, refining interactions for deeper rapport. —Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025

However, the current system is a mishmash of educational jargon that is difficult to decipher. —Dan Walters, Mercury News, 29 Apr. 2025

Scientists have long sought to decipher where and how prebiotic molecules — those that preceded life — emerged. —Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 22 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1545, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for decipher

• cipher
• cypher
• fifer
• heifer
• pfeiffer

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