How to pronounce cipher
Say it like SY-fer. Cipher has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SY).
- SY
- fer
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Cipher pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- ferKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of cipher
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: SY-fuh.
What does cipher mean?
- A numeric character.
- A method of transforming a text in order to conceal its meaning.“The message was written in a simple cipher. Anyone could figure it out.”
- A cryptographic system using an algorithm that converts letters or sequences of bits into ciphertext.“a public-key cipher”
- To calculate.“I never learned much more than how to read and cipher.”
- To write in code or cipher.
- Of an organ pipe: to sound independent of the organ.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with cipher
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of cipher.
Words that sound like cipher
Questions about saying cipher
How do you pronounce cipher?
Say SY-fer. The American pronunciation is /ˈsaɪfɚ/. In British English it is /ˈsaɪfə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in cipher?
Cipher has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SY). Broken into parts: SY · fer.
Is cipher pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈsaɪfə/ (SY-fuh).
What words sound the same as cipher?
Cipher sounds the same as cypher in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.