noun
Uncommon
cipher
SEYE-fuh
Cipher (noun) means a system for turning readable text into a secret, scrambled form; more loosely, a secret code. Example: “The spy sent messages written in a simple cipher.”
noun
1
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."
"Historians finally cracked the general's wartime cipher."
2
A person or thing regarded as having no real importance or influence.
"Without real authority, the new manager was just a cipher."
verb
1
To convert a message into a secret code.
"The clerk ciphered the report before sending it."
How to use cipher
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA secret code for hiding a message, or someone/something with no real substance.
Common mistake
In everyday use "cipher" almost always means a code; the "person of no importance" sense is more literary.
Common pairings
crack a cipher
a simple cipher
encode in cipher
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Word forms
- Plural
- ciphers
- Third person singular
- ciphers
- Past tense
- ciphered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The spy sent messages written in a simple _____.
Etymology
From Old French cyfre, ultimately from Arabic sifr meaning "zero" or "empty" — the same root that gives us the word "zero" itself.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for cipher
See all rhymes for 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.
