decipher

UK: /dɪˈsaɪfə^r/ US: /dɪˈsaɪfɚ/ ,(di sī′fər)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

de•ci•pher /dɪˈsaɪfɚ/   v. [ ~ + obj]

1. to make out the meaning of (something difficult to read):
   I couldn't decipher his handwriting.
2. Cryptography to decode:
   to decipher a secret message.

de•ci•pher•a•ble, adj. 

: handwriting just barely decipherable.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

de•ci•pher  (di sī′fər), v.t. 

1. to make out the meaning of (poor or partially obliterated writing, etc.):
   to decipher a hastily scribbled note.
2. to discover the meaning of (anything obscure or difficult to trace or understand):
   to decipher hieroglyphics.
3. Cryptography to interpret by the use of a key, as something written in cipher:
   to decipher a secret message.
4. [Obs.] to depict;
   portray.

• translation of Middle French déchiffrer. See de-, cipher 1520–30

de•ci′pher•a•ble, adj. 
de•ci′pher•a•bil′i•ty, n. 
de•ci′pher•er, n. 
de•ci′pher•ment, n. 
Synonyms

• 2. comprehend, solve, unravel, explain.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

decipher / dɪˈsaɪfə/ verb (transitive)

1. to determine the meaning of (something obscure or illegible)
2. to convert from code into plain text; decode

deˈcipherable adjective

deˈcipherment noun