Langimage
English

undecipherably

|un-de-ciph-er-a-bly|

C2

/ˌʌndɪˈsaɪfərəbli/

(undecipherable)

not able to be decoded

Base FormComparativeSuperlativeVerbAdverb
undecipherablemore undecipherablemost undecipherabledecipherundecipherably
Etymology
Etymology Information

'undecipherably' originates from English, specifically the prefix 'un-' and the adjective 'decipherable', where 'un-' meant 'not' and 'decipher' ultimately comes from Old French/Medieval Latin roots related to Arabic 'sifr' (cipher/zero).

Historical Evolution

'decipher' changed from Old French/Medieval Latin forms (e.g. Old French 'decifr(er)' / Medieval Latin influenced forms) derived from a base related to Arabic 'sifr' ('cipher'), and in English became 'decipher'; later the adjective 'decipherable' formed, then the negative prefix produced 'undecipherable', and finally the adverbial suffix '-ly' produced 'undecipherably'.

Meaning Changes

Initially, components referred specifically to removing or relating to a 'cipher' (encoding); combined as 'undecipherable' it has long meant 'not able to be decoded,' and 'undecipherably' preserves that sense as 'in a way that cannot be decoded.'

Meanings by Part of Speech

Adverb 1

adverb form of 'undecipherable'; in a manner that cannot be deciphered, decoded, or interpreted.

The ancient script was written so sloppily and undecipherably that even specialists failed to read it.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Last updated: 2025/11/22 17:44