cryptic

[ krip-tik ]

/ ˈkrɪp tɪk /

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See synonyms for cryptic on Thesaurus.com

adjective Also cryp·ti·cal.

mysterious in meaning; puzzling; ambiguous: a cryptic message.

abrupt; terse; short: a cryptic note.

secret; occult: a cryptic writing.

involving or using cipher, code, etc.

Zoology. fitted for concealing; serving to camouflage.

noun

a cryptogram, especially one designed as a puzzle.

OTHER WORDS FOR cryptic

1 enigmatic, perplexing.

See synonyms for cryptic on Thesaurus.com

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of cryptic

1595–1605; <Late Latin crypticus<Greek kryptikós hidden. See crypt, -ic

synonym study for cryptic

1. See ambiguous.

OTHER WORDS FROM cryptic

cryp·ti·cal·ly, adverbnon·cryp·tic, adjectivenon·cryp·ti·cal, adjectivenon·cryp·ti·cal·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use cryptic in a sentence

Q, who has posted nearly 5,000 cryptic information “drops” online since 2017, has not issued a single message on his home message board of 8kun in 44 days, leading some believers to a crisis of faith.
QAnon believers seek to adapt their extremist ideology for a new era: ‘Things have just started’|Drew Harwell|January 21, 2021|Washington Post
Cryptically, he added that he would like women to have more leadership roles in administrative and pastoral activities.
What About Women, Pope Francis?|Janine di Giovanni|August 1, 2013|DAILY BEAST
When asked if Don has given her a beer in the past, Sally replies cryptically, “My father has never given me anything.”
‘Mad Men’: Who Is Bob Benson?|Jace Lacob|June 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The areas where they overlap are cryptically blurred, impossible to anticipate what monstrosities might come from them.
Great Weekend Reads: December 30, 2011|Jacob Silverman, Michael Thomsen, Lauren Elkin|December 30, 2011|DAILY BEAST

Is anyone else reminded of the equally cryptically titled film Like Water for Chocolate?
Film-Inspired Cocktails: Water for Elephants|Brody Brown|April 22, 2011|DAILY BEAST
The announcement says cryptically that there will be a “daily limit” on such access for “some search engines.”
The New York Times' Paywall Gamble|Howard Kurtz|March 17, 2011|DAILY BEAST
"That's one way for 'em to get blue jeans," said the driver cryptically.
The Penal Cluster|Ivar Jorgensen (AKA Randall Garrett)
He replied cryptically that he was an out-and-out phagocyte, and getting more so every time he read a newspaper.
The Wrong Twin|Harry Leon Wilson
"I repeat zat Golden Rule to myself every night and every morning, Ruthkin," said she, somewhat cryptically.
West Wind Drift|George Barr McCutcheon
The engine bell clanged a warning, and the conductor shouted cryptically.
Desert Conquest|A. M. Chisholm
"Mr. Byrd is going to paint me as something without a soul—I think I will dance," she cryptically vouchsafed.
The Nest Builder|Beatrice Forbes-Robertson Hale

British Dictionary definitions for cryptic

cryptic

cryptical

/ (ˈkrɪptɪk) /

adjective

hidden; secret; occult

(esp of comments, sayings, etc) obscure in meaning

(of the coloration of animals) tending to conceal by disguising or camouflaging the shape

Derived forms of cryptic

cryptically, adverb

Word Origin for cryptic

C17: from Late Latin crypticus, from Greek kruptikos, from kruptos concealed; see crypt

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

cryptic

OTHER WORDS FOR cryptic

Origin of cryptic

synonym study for cryptic

OTHER WORDS FROM cryptic

Words related to cryptic

How to use cryptic in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for cryptic

cryptical

Derived forms of cryptic

Word Origin for cryptic