mysterious

[mi-steer-ee-uhs]

adjective

full of, characterized by, or involving mystery: a mysterious occurrence.

implying or suggesting a mystery: a mysterious smile.

of obscure nature, meaning, origin, etc.; puzzling; inexplicable: a mysterious inscription on the ancient tomb.

Origin of mysterious

First recorded in 1610–20; mystery¹ + -ous

Related formsmys·te·ri·ous·ly, adverbmys·te·ri·ous·ness, nounqua·si-mys·te·ri·ous, adjectivequa·si-mys·te·ri·ous·ly, adverbun·mys·te·ri·ous, adjectiveun·mys·te·ri·ous·ly, adverbun·mys·te·ri·ous·ness, noun

Synonyms for mysterious

1. secret, esoteric, occult, cryptic. 3. unfathomable, unintelligible, incomprehensible, enigmatic, impenetrable.

Synonym study

1. 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.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for mysteriousness

Historical Examples of mysteriousness

She was mysterious, with the mysteriousness of living beings.
The Secret Agent
Joseph Conrad
Janzen was at last emerging from his wonted frigidity and mysteriousness.
The Three Cities Trilogy, Complete
Emile Zola
I may be able to very soon, and clear up all this mysteriousness, that is worrying me so.
Frank Roscoe's Secret
Allen Chapman
He was impressed and interested by the mysteriousness of the effect.
Chance
Joseph Conrad
The mysteriousness of his quickened heart-beats startled him.
Under Western Eyes
Joseph Conrad

British Dictionary definitions for mysteriousness

mysterious

adjective

characterized by or indicative of mystery

puzzling, curious, or enigmatic

Derived Formsmysteriously, adverbmysteriousness, noun

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

Word Origin and History for mysteriousness

mysterious

adj.

1610s, "full of mystery," from Latin mysterium (see mystery (n.1)) + -ous. Related: Mysteriously; mysteriousness. Earlier in same sense was mysterial (early 15c.), from Late Latin mysterialis.