Code — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈkōd/

Meaning & Definition of Code

Code (noun)

  1. a systematic statement of a body of law; especially, one given statutory force
  2. a system of principles or rules
  3. a system of signals or symbols for communication; specifically, linguistics, a communication system (such as a language or dialect) thought of as a set of signs from which the speaker or writer selects in order to convey a message, idea, etc.

Code (verb)

  1. to put in or into the form or symbols of a code
  2. to specify the genetic code
  3. to create or edit computer code

Code (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a collection or system of rules of conduct

    "Hammurabi was an ancient king of Babylon with a famous code of laws"

    "the tax code"

    similar: canon, constitution, decalogue, law
    related: discipline, establishment, common law, legislation

Code (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in encrypt, encode

    similar: cipher, encipher, encode, encrypt, garble, jumble (up), mix (up)
    opposite: break, crack, decipher, decode, decrypt, descramble, unscramble, render, translate

Related Entry: Code word (noun)

Code word is a different word from Code. The synonyms below are for code word, not for code.

  1. as in analogy, dead metaphor

    similar: analogy, circumlocution, crank, dead metaphor, euphemism, simile, conceit, metaphor, device, catachresis, mixed metaphor

Related Entry: Code words (noun)

Code words is a different word from Code. The synonyms below are for code words, not for code.

  1. as in analogies, dead metaphors

    similar: analogies, circumlocutions, cranks, dead metaphors, euphemisms, similes, conceits, metaphors, devices, catachreses, mixed metaphors

Related Entry: Code-name (verb)

Code-name is a different word from Code. The synonyms below are for code-name, not for code.

  1. as in nickname

    similar: nickname, miscall, misname, mistitle, rechristen, relabel, rename, denote, specify, surname, brand, stigmatize, tag, baptize, call, christen, clepe (archaic), denominate, designate, dub, entitle, label, name, nominate, style, term, title

Related Entry: Code-named (verb)

Code-named is a different word from Code. The synonyms below are for code-named, not for code.

  1. as in nicknamed

    similar: nicknamed, miscalled, misnamed, mistitled, rechristened, relabeled, renamed, denoted, specified, surnamed, branded, stigmatized, tagged, baptized, called, christened, cleped (archaic), denominated, designated, dubbed, entitled, labeled, named, nominated, styled, termed, titled

Related Entry: Code-names (verb)

Code-names is a different word from Code. The synonyms below are for code-names, not for code.

  1. as in nicknames

    similar: nicknames, miscalls, misnames, mistitles, rechristens, relabels, renames, denotes, specifies, surnames, brands, stigmatizes, tags, baptizes, calls, christens, clepes (archaic), denominates, designates, dubs, entitles, labels, names, nominates, styles, terms, titles

Related Entry: Code-naming (verb)

Code-naming is a different word from Code. The synonyms below are for code-naming, not for code.

  1. as in nicknaming

    similar: nicknaming, miscalling, misnaming, mistitling, rechristening, relabeling, renaming, denoting, specifying, surnaming, branding, stigmatizing, tagging, baptizing, calling, christening, cleping (archaic), denominating, designating, dubbing, entitling, labeling, naming, nominating, styling, terming, titling

Related Entry: Cheat (noun)

Cheat is a different word from Code. The synonyms below are for cheat, not for code.

  1. a dishonest person who uses clever means to cheat others out of something of value

    "a cheat at cards"

    similar: bilk, bilker, cheater, chiseler, confidence man, cozener, defrauder, dodger, fakir, finagler, fraudster (chiefly British), hoaxer, scammer, scamster, shark, sharper, sharpie, skinner, swindler, tricker, trickster
    related: double-crosser, double-dealer, bluffer, charlatan, fake, faker, humbug, impostor, mountebank, phony, pretender, quack, quacksalver, ringer, sham, adventurer, fox, gamesman, knave, prankster, rascal, rogue, fast-talker, slick, slicker, slickster, slyboots, smoothy, wheeler-dealer, plotter, schemer, sneak, sneaker, blackleg, cardsharp

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Code

The most common words with a similar meaning to Code:

canon, constitution, decalogue, law, cipher, encipher, encode, encrypt, garble, jumble (up), mix (up)

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Code

Words with the opposite meaning of Code:

break, crack, decipher, decode, decrypt, descramble, unscramble, render, translate

Related Words for Code

discipline, establishment, common law, legislation

Word Forms of Code

Inflections: codes, coded, coding

Derived words: codeless (adjective), codable (adjective), coder (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Code

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin caudex, codex trunk of a tree, document formed originally from wooden tablets

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Code

Words & Phrases Containing Code

code name, code of conduct, Code Red, code switch, code-switching, code word, code of ethics

Frequently Asked Questions about Code

What does "Code" mean?

"Code" means a systematic statement of a body of law; especially, one given statutory force. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: a systematic statement of a body of law; especially, one given statutory force. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Code"?

Other words for "Code" include canon, constitution, decalogue, law, cipher, encipher, encode and encrypt. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Code" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Code"?

There are 15 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Code". Common alternatives include canon, constitution, decalogue, law, cipher, encipher, encode, encrypt, garble and jumble (up).

What is the opposite of "Code"?

Antonyms of "Code" include break, crack, decipher, decode, decrypt, descramble, unscramble and render.

How do you use "Code" in a sentence?

Examples of "Code" in a sentence: "Hammurabi was an ancient king of Babylon with a famous code of laws"; "the tax code".

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

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

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

As an A2-level word, "Code" is typical of Cambridge A2 Key (KET), PTE Academic 30–42, TOEIC Listening & Reading 225+. It is on the Academic Word List, so it appears often in IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and university texts.

How do you pronounce "Code"?

"Code" is pronounced /ˈkōd/.