adj
Common
cyber
SEYE-buh
Cyber (adj) means relating to computers, the internet, or digital technology. Example: “She works in cyber security and protects company networks from hackers.”
adj
1
Relating to computers, the internet, or digital technology.
"She works in cyber security and protects company networks from hackers."
"The school ran a cyber safety lesson about choosing strong passwords."
"The company hired a team to handle cyber threats."
noun
1
Digital and internet-related matters considered collectively, especially security threats.
"Is there an escalatory ladder in cyber, the same as with weapons of mass destruction? Fleming doesn't like the comparison with nuclear deterrence but says that Russia is indeed conscious of escalation risk."
— Roula Khalaf, Lunch with the FT: Jeremy Fleming (2023)
"The new minister's role covers defence, intelligence and cyber."
"Our budget for cyber has grown as more of our work moves online."
"The briefing covered everything from cyber to physical security."
How to use cyber
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA shorthand word or prefix for anything to do with computers, the internet, or digital technology.
Common pairings
cyber attack
cyber security
cyber crime
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- cybers
- Past tense
- cybered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She works in _____ security and protects company networks from hackers.
Etymology
Clipped from cybernetics, which itself comes from Ancient Greek kubernetes ("steersman, pilot") — the same root as "govern."
Related words
Rhymes for cyber
See all rhymes for cyber →Frequently asked questions
What does “cyber” mean?
The word “cyber” means relating to computers, the internet, or digital technology. In plain terms, a shorthand word or prefix for anything to do with computers, the internet, or digital technology.
How do you pronounce “cyber”?
“Cyber” is pronounced SEYE-buh (/ˈsaɪ.bəɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “cyber” in a sentence?
Here is “cyber” used in a sentence: “The company hired a team to handle cyber threats.”
What part of speech is “cyber”?
Depending on how it is used, “cyber” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “cyber” come from?
The word “cyber” comes from Ancient Greek. Clipped from cybernetics, which itself comes from Ancient Greek kubernetes ("steersman, pilot") — the same root as "govern.".
Is “cyber” a common word?
“Cyber” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “cyber” have?
“Cyber” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to computers, the internet, or digital technology.
Is cyber a standalone word or just a prefix?
Both. Cyber began as a combining form in words like cyberspace and cybersecurity, but it now stands alone as an adjective, as in "cyber threats," and as a noun for digital and internet-related matters, especially security, as in "a career in cyber."
What is the difference between cyber and digital?
Digital is the broad adjective for anything involving computer technology, from digital photos to digital banking. Cyber is narrower and now leans toward internet and security contexts, as in cyber attack, cyber crime, and cyber defence.
Is it cybersecurity or cyber security?
Both spellings are in wide use and style guides differ, but the one-word form cybersecurity is increasingly common, matching established closed forms like cyberspace and cybercrime. Whichever you choose, keep it consistent within a document.
Where does the word cyber come from?
Cyber is clipped from cybernetics, the science of communication and control systems in machines and living things. From there it spread as a prefix, and later a standalone word, for anything relating to computers and the internet.
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