Dictionary.com

mystery

1
[ mis-tuh-ree, -tree ]
/ ˈmɪs tə ri, -tri /
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See synonyms for: mystery / mysteries on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural mys·ter·ies.
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Origin of mystery

1
First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English misteri(e), from Latin mystērium “a secret,” (plural) mystēria “secret rites,” from Greek mystḗrion, equivalent to mýs(tēs) “an initiate (into the Eleusinian mysteries)” + -tērion noun suffix; see also mystic)

Other definitions for mystery (2 of 2)

mystery2
[ mis-tuh-ree ]
/ ˈmɪs tə ri /

noun, plural mys·ter·ies.Archaic.
a craft or trade.
a guild, as of merchants.

Origin of mystery

2
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English misteri(e) “ministry, office; handicraft, art; guild” from Old French mistere and Medieval Latin misterium, variant of Latin ministerium ministry, confused with mystērium mystery1
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use mystery in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for mystery (1 of 2)

mystery1
/ (ˈmɪstərɪ, -trɪ) /

noun plural -teries

Word Origin for mystery

C14: via Latin from Greek mustērion secret rites. See mystic

British Dictionary definitions for mystery (2 of 2)

mystery2
/ (ˈmɪstərɪ) /

noun plural -teries archaic
a trade, occupation, or craft
a guild of craftsmen

Word Origin for mystery

C14: from Medieval Latin mistērium, from Latin ministerium occupation, from minister official
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
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