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decipher

Meaning in simple English, pronunciation and examples

Pronunciation: US /dɪˈsaɪfər/ · UK /dɪˈsaɪfə/

decipher means: To manage to read or understand writing that is difficult to make out.

verb

READ UNCLEAR WRITINGC1

To manage to read or understand writing that is difficult to make out.

  • I can’t decipher your handwriting.
  • She deciphered the faded words on the postcard.
  • Can anyone decipher this signature?

Similar words: make out, read

Common phrases: decipher someone’s handwriting, decipher a note, hard to decipher

READ A CODEC1

To work out the ordinary words hidden in a secret code.

  • They deciphered the secret message.
  • Can you decipher this code without the key?
  • Experts are trying to decipher the intercepted signals.

Similar words: decode, decrypt

Opposites: encode, encrypt

Common phrases: decipher a code, decipher a message, decipher secret writing

SOLVE A PROBLEMC1

To work out the answer to a difficult problem.

  • We finally deciphered the puzzle.
  • She tried to decipher the mystery behind the missing files.
  • Can you decipher this logic problem?

Similar words: solve, figure out, unravel

Common phrases: decipher a puzzle, decipher a mystery, decipher the problem

Questions about decipher

What does decipher mean?

To manage to read or understand writing that is difficult to make out.

What is decipher in other languages?

Türkçe: okumayı başarmak · Español: descifrar · Français: déchiffrer · Deutsch: entziffern · Italiano: decifrare · 日本語: 判読する

How do you pronounce decipher?

In American English /dɪˈsaɪfər/; in British English /dɪˈsaɪfə/.

How do you use decipher in a sentence?

I can’t decipher your handwriting. She deciphered the faded words on the postcard.

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