Incorrect spelling

decypher

Incorrect spelling, explanation: you might’ve found the word cypher, and you may be confused why only the spelling decipher is correct, so here’s why: although both cipher and cypher are correct, the spelling with i better represents the pronunciation and the ai dyphtong, which is why it’s preferred, and hence decypher is not the correct spelling.


Correct spelling

decipher

Correct spelling, explanation: decipher is constructed out of the base word cipher and the prefix de-. What’s interesting, is that cipher can be also spelled cypher, although it’s a rare form, and the spelling with i is the preferred one, which is why in most derivations of the word, such as decipher, only the spelling with i is considered correct.

Definition of decipher:
verb
1. to crack a code or an encoded message
I find it very interesting to learn how people deciphered ancient Egyptian writing.
She used a lot of difficult idioms so sometimes I couldn’t decipher what she was saying.