Meaning of the word cypher in English

What does cypher mean in English? Explore the meaning, pronunciation, and specific usage of this word with Lingoland.

cypher

US /ˈsaɪ.fɚ/
UK /ˈsaɪ.fər/

Noun

1.

a secret way of writing, especially one in which a set of letters or symbols is used to represent others

Example:
The message was written in a complex cypher.
Only the general could decode the enemy's cypher.
2.

a person or thing of no importance

Example:
He felt like a mere cypher in the vast organization.
Despite his title, he was a political cypher.

Verb

to write in or convert to a cypher

Example:
The spy had to cypher the message before sending it.
They used a special machine to cypher their communications.