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 of decipher

• crack
• translate
• break
• decode
• solve
• 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

For these scrolls, the best method for virtually unrolling and deciphering text would be to scan for lead first, according to Seiler. — Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2026

The first person to make progress on deciphering the stone was Thomas Young, a British Egyptologist who was also a respected physician and physicist. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 21 Sep. 2026

No, multiple academics have attempted to decipher the meaning behind the mightily adorable meow of the domestic house cat. — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Taxpayer groups working across multiple cities and counties should not have to decipher different deadlines and procedures in every jurisdiction. — Marc Joffe, Oc Register, 30 Aug. 2026

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