English Explanatory Dictionary

mysterious

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Of unknown origin.
  2. Having unknown qualities.
  3. Difficult to understand.
  4. Deliberately evasive or enigmatic.

Pronunciation

/mɪˈstɪə̯.ɹi.əs/ /mɪˈstɪɹi.əs/ /məˈstɪɹi.əs/ en-us-mysterious.ogg

Word forms

mysterious more mysterious most mysterious

Etymology

From Middle English *misterius (implied in misteriusly), probably partly from Middle French mystérieux and partly from Latin mystērium + -ous. By surface analysis, mystery + -ous.

Synonyms

arcane cryptic enigmatic ill-defined inenubilable mysterial mysterioso mysterious mystic runish sibylline systerious uncertain undefined undetermined untraceable esoteric abstruse Chinese dense fathomless Greek inapprehensible incognizable incomprehensible ineffable inexplicable impenetrable insensible inscrutable insoluble insolvable nonunderstandable obscure retruse tenebrose thick undecipherable undiscoverable unexplainable unfathomable ungraspable unintelligible unknowable ununderstandable behind the scenes catlike backroom stealth clandestine cloak-and-dagger concealed confidential covert deep-laid dern disguised furtive huggermugger hush-hush

Antonyms

known unambiguous unmysterious well-defined

Related words

mystery ambiguous intriguing vague strange

Derived words

God works in mysterious ways mysteriously mysteriousness the Lord works in mysterious ways unmysterious
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