DECIPHERING definition: to determine the meaning of (something obscure or illegible ) | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples in American English 1. decode, crack, solve, understand, explain, reveal, figure out (informal), unravel, suss (out) (slang) I'm still no closer to deciphering the code. deciphering - WordReference English dictionary, questions, discussion and forums. Apr 14, 2026 · decipher verb de· ci· pher dē-ˈsī-fər deciphered; deciphering; deciphers transitive verb 1 : decode sense 1a DECIPHER definition: to make out the meaning of (poor or partially obliterated writing, etc.). See examples of decipher used in a sentence. Examining their historical analogies is one approach to deciphering the circumstances given and transmitted from the past.