encode
4 synonyms and 2 antonyms for encode, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To convert information into a particular form or system of symbols, so that it can be stored, sent or read by a machine.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use encode
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
encode data
encode a video
encode information
gene encodes a protein
Standard, chiefly technical and scientific.
Etymology
Formed from the prefix en- "to put into" and code.
Full origin of encode →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between encoding and encrypting?
Encoding changes the form of data so a system can handle it, and anyone who knows the scheme can reverse it; it provides no secrecy. Encryption deliberately hides the content and can only be reversed with a key.
What is the difference between encode and encrypt in passwords?
An encoded password, such as one in base64, can be turned back into the original in seconds and is effectively stored in plain text. Passwords should be hashed with a slow one-way function so that even the system holding them cannot recover the original.
Does encode mean the same as compress?
Not quite, though the two overlap. Encoding a video usually involves compression, but encoding on its own simply means putting data into a defined format, which need not make it smaller.
