Meaning 1neutral · 90%
To recognize and understand difficult-to-read or unfamiliar written signs through careful examination.
Natural examples
Die Forschenden konnten die verblasste Handschrift kaum entziffern.
Nach Monaten gelang es, die Inschrift vollständig zu entziffern.
Seine schnelle Notiz war später kaum noch zu entziffern.
Usage note
Entziffern typically refers to difficult-to-read writing or signs. Entschlüsseln is more closely associated with codes and cryptography.
Useful combinations
— to decipher handwriting