[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/decoding/)

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# decoding

verb (-ing form of «decode»: decode, decodes, decoded, decoding); noun (decoding, uncountable)

«decoding» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Decoding means turning a secret code or message back into normal words so it can be read. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/decoding/#m1)
2. In reading, decoding is sounding out letters to work out what a written word says. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/decoding/#m2)
3. In computing, decoding means changing data from one form into one people or machines can use, like turning a file into a video. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/decoding/#m3)

### In the lessons

In phonics and English lessons, decoding is a key reading skill: blending letter sounds to read a word (c-a-t, cat). In maths and computing lessons, pupils enjoy decoding secret messages with ciphers. In history, decoding enemy messages at Bletchley Park helped in the Second World War. Phrases: «decoding words», «decoding a message».

### Examples

- Decoding new words gets easier with practice. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/decoding/#x1)
- The spies were decoding the secret message all night. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/decoding/#x2)
- Alan Turing's team worked on decoding enemy codes. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/decoding/#x3)
- We used a key to decoding the pirate's map. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/decoding/#x4)
- My little brother is good at decoding but slower at understanding. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/decoding/#x5)
- The computer is decoding the video so it can play. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/decoding/#x6)
- Decoding the number puzzle took us twenty minutes. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/decoding/#x7)

### Note

«Decode» = de- (undo) + code. Opposite: encoding. Regular verb, drop the «e» before «-ing». In reading, decoding (saying the word) is different from comprehension (understanding it).

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «decoding» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/decoding/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«decoding» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/decoding.html) on Mova free.