Words / C1

di-SYF-uh/dɪˈsaɪfə/

To decipher is to work out the meaning of something hard to read or coded: decipher handwriting, decipher a log. Decode is a close twin, often for ciphers; interpret is wider; guess is not a reading. A corridor rumour is not a badge log.

Meaning

To work out the meaning of something hard to read or understand.

Examples

• “Decipher the badge log; a corridor rumour is not a reading.”
• “Decode is the cipher twin. Interpret can include opinion. Guess has no source. A swipe file is evidence. Hearsay is colour. Open the log; then the story if it still matches the swipes.”

Good to know

Work out a difficult meaning. Close: decode. Contrast: guess / rumour. A badge log is the source, not the corridor.

Near in meaning

decode

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