Word
cyber
Phoneticscy·ber
/ˈsaɪbɝ/
Definitions
01related to the internet
adj. relating to computers, the internet, and the digital world.
adj. relating to or characteristic of the culture of computers, information technology, and virtual reality.
“The government is worried about cyber attacks on the country's power grid.”
“The rapid expansion of cyber infrastructure has outpaced the development of international legal frameworks governing digital sovereignty.”
Usage
Often used as a combining form or prefix in words like 'cybercrime' or 'cybersecurity'.
02cybersecurity
n. the field of protecting computers and networks from digital attacks.
n. a shorthand for cybersecurity or the digital domain as a theatre of operations.
“She decided to pursue a career in cyber after finishing her computer science degree.”
“Experts in cyber warn that the vulnerability lies not in the software itself, but in the human element of the network.”
Technical
Teaching tip
In professional contexts, 'cyber' is frequently used as a standalone noun to mean the entire field of digital security.
Synonyms
03to have cybersex
v. to have sexual conversations or interactions online.
v. to engage in virtual sexual activity or cybersex via digital communication.
“The chat room was full of people looking to cyber with strangers.”
“Early internet culture was often defined by anonymous users attempting to cyber in unmoderated IRC channels.”
Slang · Informal · Vulgar
Usage
Intransitive verb; does not take a direct object.
Real-World Examples
“A small power plant has been shut down during a cyber attack.” “The attack saw the plant closed for four days, it reports, in what is said to be the "most successful cyber attack of its kind".” Etymology
Originally from cybernetics, before becoming a stand-alone word.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/cyber