mysterious

[mi-steer-ee-uhs]

adjective

1. full of, characterized by, or involving mystery.

   a mysterious occurrence.

   Synonyms: cryptic, occult, esoteric, secret

2. implying or suggesting a mystery.

   a mysterious smile.

3. of obscure nature, meaning, origin, etc.; puzzling; inexplicable.

   a mysterious inscription on the ancient tomb.

   Synonyms: impenetrable, enigmatic, incomprehensible, unintelligible, unfathomable

mysterious

/ mɪˈstɪərɪəs /

adjective

1. characterized by or indicative of mystery

2. puzzling, curious, or enigmatic

Other Word Forms

• mysteriously adverb
• mysteriousness noun
• quasi-mysterious adjective
• quasi-mysteriously adverb
• unmysterious adjective
• unmysteriously adverb
• unmysteriousness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of mysterious¹

First recorded in 1610–20; mystery ¹ + -ous

Synonym Study

Mysterious, inscrutable, mystical, obscure refer to that which is not easily comprehended or explained. That which is mysterious, by being unknown or puzzling, excites curiosity, amazement, or awe: a mysterious disease. Inscrutable applies to that which is impenetrable, so enigmatic that one cannot interpret its significance: an inscrutable smile. That which is mystical has a secret significance, such as that attaching to certain rites or signs: mystical symbols. That which is obscure is discovered or comprehended dimly or with difficulty: obscure motives.

Example Sentences

The price surpassed Klimt’s $108.8 million previous auction record set by the 2023 sale of the Austrian symbolist’s “Lady With a Fan,” a portrait of a mysterious seminude woman clutching a hand fan.

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Splotches of mysterious sludge stick to the stone floor.

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A moment ago these mysterious adults had been in a screaming argument, but now they seemed satisfied and self-absorbed, as if each had privately declared him-or herself the winner.

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On that occasion, too, they had heard something unexpected, a mysterious howling sound that came from behind that very same wall.

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Nuthatches, warblers, sparrows, and the occasional wood dove—perfectly acceptable birds all, to be sure, but where were the sage and mysterious owls?

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Related Words

• baffling 
• cryptic 
• curious 
• dark 
• enigmatic 
• inexplicable 
• inscrutable 
• magical 
• mystical 
• mystifying www.thesaurus.com
• obscure 
• perplexing 
• puzzling 
• secretive 
• strange 
• unknown 
• weird