# decode vs decoder

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### decode
*verb · IPA /dɪˈkəʊd/ · frequency rank #28,168*
To convert from an encrypted form to plain text.

### decoder
*noun · IPA /dɪˈkəʊdə(ɹ)/ · frequency rank #35,248*
A person who decodes secret messages

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/vs/decode-vs-decoder