decipher
/dɪˈsaɪfə(ɹ)/
Group 21Difficulty 1/3
Definition
- (verb)
- To succeed in understanding or interpreting something obscure or unclear GRE
Example in Context
It took researchers years to decipher the ancient script, a breakthrough that opened an entirely new chapter in the study of the civilization.
Synonyms
decodecrackfigure out
Etymology
To take apart a code or mystery, revealing what has been hidden.
- de- (Latin) — down from
- cifra (Arabic) — zero
Memory Aid
🔍Sounds like “de cypher”
When you DE CIPHER a secret message, it’s like turning a cypher into a DE-lightful treasure hunt!
Visual Association
🕵️♂️A detective with a magnifying glass, surrounded by cryptic symbols, finally cracking the code in an explosive moment of realization.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “decipher” mean on the GRE?
decipher (verb) means “To succeed in understanding or interpreting something obscure or unclear”. It took researchers years to decipher the ancient script, a breakthrough that opened an entirely new chapter in the study of the civilization.
How to remember “decipher” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “decipher” sounds like “de cypher”. When you DE CIPHER a secret message, it’s like turning a cypher into a DE-lightful treasure hunt!
What are synonyms for “decipher”?
Common synonyms: decode, crack, figure out.