secret code vs cipher

secret code and cipher both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
secret code	Yes	No	No	No
cipher	Yes	No	Yes	No

As nouns, secret code and cipher are synonyms defined as:

Other synonyms of secret code include cryptograph, cypher.

secret code (noun)	cipher (noun)
a secret method of writing	a secret method of writing
	a message written in a secret code
	a person of no influence
	a quantity of no importance; thing (object:), singular, negative pronoun; pronoun, thing, singular; quantifier: negative existential
	a mathematical element that when added to another number yields the same number

secret code (verb)	cipher (verb)
	make a mathematical calculation or computation
	convert ordinary language into code