cipher

23 synonyms and 5 antonyms for cipher, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A system for turning readable text into a secret, scrambled form; more loosely, a secret code.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

nothing figure code nobody zero

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

calculate zip reckon null nil compute

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

nada nix aught zilch zippo cypher nought naught 0 encrypt inscribe encipher

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A system for turning readable text into a secret, scrambled form; more loosely, a secret code.

“The spy sent messages written in a simple cipher.”

nothing figure code nobody zero calculate zip reckon null nil compute nada nix aught zilch zippo cypher nought naught 0

2. noun

A person or thing regarded as having no real importance or influence.

“Without real authority, the new manager was just a cipher.”

Opposites

somebody celebrity bigwig star

3. verb

To convert a message into a secret code.

“The clerk ciphered the report before sending it.”

compute calculate reckon encrypt figure inscribe cypher code encipher

Opposites

decipher

How to use cipher

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

crack a cipher a simple cipher encode in cipher

Etymology

From Old French cyfre, ultimately from Arabic sifr meaning "zero" or "empty" — the same root that gives us the word "zero" itself.

Full origin of cipher →

Frequently asked questions

What does “cipher” mean?

The word “cipher” means a system for turning readable text into a secret, scrambled form; more loosely, a secret code. In plain terms, a secret code for hiding a message, or someone/something with no real substance.

How do you pronounce “cipher”?

“Cipher” is pronounced SEYE-fuh (/ˈsaɪfɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “cipher” in a sentence?

Here is “cipher” used in a sentence: “The spy sent messages written in a simple cipher.”

What part of speech is “cipher”?

Depending on how it is used, “cipher” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “cipher” come from?

The word “cipher” comes from Old French. From Old French cyfre, ultimately from Arabic sifr meaning "zero" or "empty" — the same root that gives us the word "zero" itself.

Is “cipher” a common word?

“Cipher” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “cipher” have?

“Cipher” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a system for turning readable text into a secret, scrambled form; more loosely, a secret code.

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nothing star figure code nobody somebody zero celebrity calculate zip reckon null

Nearby words

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