decipher

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA ^(key): /dɪˈsaɪfə(r)/

Verb

Plain form decipher

Third-person singular deciphers

Past tense deciphered

Past participle deciphered

Present participle deciphering

1. (transitive) If you decipher something, you decode or decrypt a code or cipher into a plain text.
   • Antonym: encipher

   The signals helped us to decipher what the allies meant.

2. (transitive) If you are able to decipher something, you can read and understand text that is almost illegible.

   The teacher had a hard time deciphering her student's handwriting.

3. (transitive) If you decipher something, you find a solution to a problem.