decipher

USAGE SUMMARY

"decipher" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when trying to make sense of something that is difficult to understand. For example, "I had to decipher the ancient hieroglyphs to translate the hieroglyphs to modern language."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If you are not capable of being able to decipher between lobbying and fact, and if we are incapable of politicians to see both sides of the argument, then that's a fault that we have".

The Guardian

Those wishing to prise the coveted guestbook from the hotel's grasp will have to make do with trying to decipher the autographs scrawled on the piano which sits in the 24-hour private bar.

The Guardian - Travel

Iowans relish their status as the first-in-the-nation caucus, and are proud of what they see as their unique peek behind the facade of presidential campaigns to decipher the real candidate.

The Guardian

Each person has their own symbol system, their own special private language and one of the real fun things to do in therapy is to decipher that".

The Guardian - Opinion

"In addition, the proposed … regime would give the AFP the opportunity to identify and decipher any encryption techniques a suspect may be using to protect electronic communications," the AFP submission said.

The Guardian

The precise impact of the court's ruling on the Kansas Senate race will be difficult to decipher One poll this week showed Orman opening up a 41-34 lead over Roberts.

The Guardian

The film, a Working Title production directed by Morten Tyldum, shows how Turing headed a team tasked to decipher Engima-encrypted German communications during the second world war.

The Guardian - Film

I tried to decipher the medical jargon with an NHS pamphlet that explained the condition.

The Guardian

The dreams of powerful men or women could become famous; a class of people emerged whose job was to decipher them, since they might foretell the fate of the clan or nation.

The Guardian - Opinion

I couldn't decipher it exactly, but it seemed to say "mais non!" (A woman dining alone, where do I put her? Also, that's one cover rather than two that I get for that table for two).

The Guardian

With all that in mind, Aphex Twin's decision to release details of Syro, his first album in 13 years, via an elusive.onion web page left a wider community of music lovers trying to decipher why electronic music's prodigal son had chosen such a platform.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "decipher", ensure that the context involves something that is initially unclear or difficult to understand, such as a code, handwriting, or complex situation.

Common error

Avoid using "decipher" when a simpler word like "understand" or "read" would suffice. "Decipher" implies an element of complexity or obscurity that needs to be overcome.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "decipher" is as a verb, typically transitive, requiring an object to complete its meaning. It describes the action of converting something unintelligible into something understandable. Ludwig confirms this through its examples, showing its use in various contexts like "deciphering" codes or handwriting.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Formal & Business

29%

Science

27%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "decipher" is a versatile verb used to describe the act of converting something obscure or unintelligible into a clear and understandable form. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, including news, business, and science. While "decipher" implies a level of complexity requiring skill and effort, it's important to avoid using it in situations where simpler alternatives like "understand" or "interpret" would be more appropriate. Its frequent appearance in authoritative sources like The Economist and The Guardian underscores its relevance in formal and professional communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decode

Focuses specifically on converting encrypted or coded messages into understandable text.

interpret

Emphasizes the explanation of meaning or significance, often in a subjective manner.

understand

Indicates a general comprehension or awareness of something.

figure out

Suggests a process of reasoning or problem-solving to arrive at a solution or understanding.

make sense of

Implies bringing order or clarity to something confusing or nonsensical.

resolve

Focuses on finding a solution to a problem or difficulty.

unravel

Suggests disentangling something complex or mysterious to reveal its underlying structure or meaning.

grasp

Indicates a firm and complete understanding.

fathom

Implies a deeper exploration to understand something obscure or complex.

penetrate

Suggests overcoming resistance or difficulty in order to understand something.

FAQs

How do you use "decipher" in a sentence?

You can use "decipher" when you are trying to understand something that is difficult to make sense of. For example, "I had to "decode" the ancient hieroglyphs to translate them to modern language".

What can I say instead of "decipher"?

You can use alternatives like ""decode"", "interpret", or "understand" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "decipher the code" or "understand the code"?

"Decipher the code" is more appropriate when the code is complex or encrypted. "Understand the code" is suitable when the code is straightforward, but its meaning or purpose needs clarification.

What's the difference between "decipher" and "interpret"?

"Decipher" typically refers to converting something from an obscure form to a clear one, like a code. "Interpret" involves explaining the meaning or significance of something, often with subjective judgment.