Cipher — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈsī-fər/ ci·pher

Meaning & Definition of Cipher

Cipher (noun)

  1. zero
  2. one that has no weight, worth, or influence, nonentity
  3. a method of transforming a text in order to conceal its meaning

Cipher (verb)

  1. to use figures in a mathematical process
  2. encipher
  3. to compute arithmetically

Cipher (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the numerical symbol 0 or the absence of number or quantity represented by it

    "remember to put the cipher after the decimal point"

    similar: aught, goose egg, naught, nil, nothing, o, oh, zero, zilch, zip
    related: blank, void

  2. a person of no importance or influence

    "it was either write the Great American Novel or be consigned to the status of a cipher in the annals of literature"

    similar: dwarf, half-pint, insect, insignificancy, lightweight, morsel, nobody, nonentity, nothing, nullity, number, pip-squeak, pygmy, snippersnapper, twerp, whippersnapper, zero, zilch
    related: no-name, noncelebrity, least, inferior, mediocrity, obscurity, figurehead, puppet, nonperson, unperson, outcast, pariah, reject
    opposite: big shot, big wheel, bigwig, eminence, figure, kahuna, kingpin, magnate, nabob, personage, somebody, VIP
    near: chief, head, lead, leader, celebrity, luminary, notable, personality, planet, star, superstar, authority, superior, great power, party, power

Cipher (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to determine (a value) by doing the necessary mathematical operations

    "were surprised by how much we had spent on the cruise after we had ciphered out the grand total"

    similar: calculate, compute, figure, reckon, work out
    related: add up, average, sum, tally, total, totalize, add, divide, multiply, subtract, allow (for), deduct, factor (in or into or out), figure in, figure out, solve (for), count, itemize, number, calibrate, gauge, measure, scale, appraise, assess, estimate, evaluate, rate, value, recalculate, recompute, refigure

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Cipher

The most common words with a similar meaning to Cipher:

aught, goose egg, naught, nil, nothing, o, oh, zero, zilch, zip, dwarf, half-pint, insect, insignificancy, lightweight, morsel, nobody, nonentity, nullity, number, pip-squeak, pygmy, snippersnapper, twerp, whippersnapper, calculate, compute, figure, reckon, work out

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Cipher

Words with the opposite meaning of Cipher:

big shot, big wheel, bigwig, eminence, figure, kahuna, kingpin, magnate, nabob, personage, somebody, VIP

Related Words for Cipher

blank, void, no-name, noncelebrity, least, inferior, mediocrity, obscurity, figurehead, puppet, nonperson, unperson, outcast, pariah, reject, add up, average, sum, tally, total, totalize, add, divide, multiply, subtract, allow (for), deduct, factor (in or into or out), figure in, figure out

Near Antonyms of Cipher

chief, head, lead, leader, celebrity, luminary, notable, personality, planet, star, superstar, authority, superior, great power, party, power

Word Forms of Cipher

Inflections: ciphers, ciphered, ciphering

Origin & Etymology of Cipher

Middle English, from Medieval Latin cifra, from Arabic ṣifr empty, cipher, zero

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Cipher

Words & Phrases Containing Cipher

substitution cipher, transposition cipher

Frequently Asked Questions about Cipher

What does "Cipher" mean?

"Cipher" means zero. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: zero. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Cipher"?

Other words for "Cipher" include aught, goose egg, naught, nil, nothing, o, oh and zero. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Cipher" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Cipher"?

There are 76 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Cipher". Common alternatives include aught, goose egg, naught, nil, nothing, o, oh, zero, zilch and zip.

What is the opposite of "Cipher"?

Antonyms of "Cipher" include big shot, big wheel, bigwig, eminence, figure, kahuna, kingpin and magnate. Near antonyms include chief, head, lead and leader.

How do you use "Cipher" in a sentence?

Examples of "Cipher" in a sentence: "remember to put the cipher after the decimal point"; "it was either write the Great American Novel or be consigned to the status of a cipher in the annals of literature"; "were surprised by how much we had spent on the cruise after we had ciphered out the grand total".

Is "Cipher" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Cipher" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Cipher" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C2-level word, "Cipher" is typical of Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE), IELTS band 8.5–9.0, TOEFL iBT 114–120, PTE Academic 85–90. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Cipher"?

"Cipher" is pronounced /ˈsī-fər/ and divided into syllables as ci·pher.