cryptozoology

American  

[krip-toh-zoh-ol-uh-jee] / ˌkrɪp toʊ zoʊˈɒl ə dʒi /

noun

1. the study of evidence tending to substantiate the existence of, or the search for, creatures whose reported existence is unproved, as the Abominable Snowman or the Loch Ness monster.

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cryptozoology British  

/ -zuː-, ˌkrɪptəʊzəʊˈɒlədʒɪ /

noun

1. the study of creatures, such as the Loch Ness monster, whose existence has not been scientifically proved

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Other Word Forms

• cryptozoological adjective
• cryptozoologist noun

Etymology

Origin of cryptozoology

crypto- + zoology

Example Sentences

The word “cryptozoology” has an aura of scientific rigor, evoking decoded gene sequences and immaculately preserved fossils.

From New York Times

“New species of smaller organisms are found all the time, and most of the people I meet who are into cryptozoology seem OK,” Shermer told Barcott.

From Seattle Times

“I think it fits squarely into the cryptozoology category, but maybe a little more reasonable than a lake monster.”

From Washington Times

“Sideshow stuff, cryptozoology stuff, anything that might fit well in the Addams Family house.”

From The New Yorker

It became a mainstream idea, publicised and promoted by ‘father of cryptozoology’ Bernard Heuvelmans and his followers from the 1950s onwards.

From Scientific American