mystery

[ mis-tuh-ree, -tree ]

/ ˈmɪs tə ri, -tri /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR mystery ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural mys·ter·ies.

anything that is kept secret or remains unexplained or unknown: the mysteries of nature.

any affair, thing, or person that presents features or qualities so obscure as to arouse curiosity or speculation: The masked guest is an absolute mystery to everyone.

a novel, short story, play, or film whose plot involves a crime or other event that remains puzzlingly unsettled until the very end: a mystery by Agatha Christie.

obscure, puzzling, or mysterious quality or character: the mystery of Mona Lisa's smile.

any truth that is unknowable except by divine revelation.

(in the Christian religion)

a sacramental rite.
the Eucharist.

an incident or scene in connection with the life of Christ, regarded as of special significance: the mysteries of the Passion.

any of the 15 events in the lives of Christ and the Virgin Mary meditated upon during the recitation of the rosary.

mysteries,

ancient religions that admitted candidates by secret rites and rituals the meaning of which was known only to initiated worshipers.
any rites or secrets known only to those initiated: the mysteries of Freemasonry.
(in the Christian religion) the Eucharistic elements.

mystery play.

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Question 1 of 10

What does “barren” mean?

a cylindrical wooden container with slightly bulging sides.

Worn down by dullness, tedious repetition.

unproductive; unfruitful

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Origin of mystery

1275–1325; Middle English mysterie<Latin mystērium<Greek mystḗrion, equivalent to mýs(tēs) (see mystic) + -tērion noun suffix

SYNONYMS FOR mystery

4 puzzle, problem, secret, riddle.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR mystery ON THESAURUS.COM

Words nearby mystery

mysophobia, Mysore, MySpace, mystagogue, mysterious, mystery, mystery bag, mystery play, mystery tour, mystic, mystical

Definition 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

1325–75; Middle English mistery<Medieval Latin misterium, variant of Latin ministeriumministry

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for mystery

The fate of AirAsia Flight 8501 and the 162 souls on board is a tragedy, but it will not remain a mystery for much longer.
Who Will Get AsiaAir 8501’s Black Boxes?|Clive Irving|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
So far, the mystery man in the morgue has not been identified, and neither has Mr. Douli.
‘We’re Going to Die’: Survivors Recount Greek Ferry Fire Horror|Barbie Latza Nadeau|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Due to the video lacking audio, what they were fighting about remains a mystery—“was Jay cheating?”
Yoncé Said Knock You Out: The Solange and Jay Z Story|Kevin O’Keeffe|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But his motives for shooting John Paul II have remained a mystery shrouded in multiple conspiracy theories.
Pope-Shooter Ali Agca’s Very Weird Vatican Visit|Barbie Latza Nadeau|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST

It was a mystery to devout Christians in the early Church, too.
Was Baby Jesus A Holy Terror?|Candida Moss|December 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Accepted them, rather, as a part of the mystery which wrapped him about.
The Breaking Point|Mary Roberts Rinehart
The mystery was gradually being cleared up; the complications unravelled; and he saw things in a new light.
The Weird of the Wentworths, Vol. 2|Johannes Scotus
Evidently this hypothesis plunges us into mystery, at least as much as does the spiritualist hypothesis.
Mrs. Piper & the Society for Psychical Research|Michael Sage
He appeared to be somewhat excited, and went about his operations with an air at once of slyness and of mystery.
The Lonely Island|R.M. Ballantyne
Hear ye, friend, have ye any skill in the mystery of cordwainers?
The Mermaid Series. Edited by H. Ellis. The best plays of the old dramatists. Thomas Dekker. Edited, with an introduction and notes by Ernest Rhys.|Thomas Dekker

British Dictionary definitions for mystery (1 of 2)

mystery¹

/ (ˈmɪstərɪ, -trɪ) /

noun plural -teries

an unexplained or inexplicable event, phenomenon, etc

a person or thing that arouses curiosity or suspense because of an unknown, obscure, or enigmatic quality

the state or quality of being obscure, inexplicable, or enigmatic

a story, film, etc, which arouses suspense and curiosity because of facts concealed

Christianity any truth that is divinely revealed but otherwise unknowable

Christianity a sacramental rite, such as the Eucharist, or (when plural) the consecrated elements of the Eucharist

(often plural) any of various rites of certain ancient Mediterranean religions

short for mystery play

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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mystery

noun, plural mys·ter·ies.

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Origin of mystery

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Definition for mystery (2 of 2)

noun, plural mys·ter·ies.Archaic.

Origin of mystery

Example sentences from the Web for mystery

British Dictionary definitions for mystery (1 of 2)

noun plural -teries

Word Origin for mystery

British Dictionary definitions for mystery (2 of 2)

noun plural -teries archaic

Word Origin for mystery

MEANINGS

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LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

mystery

noun, plural mys·ter·ies.

QUIZZES

QUIZ YOURSELF ON THESE WORDS FROM BROWN GIRL DREAMING!

Origin of mystery

SYNONYMS FOR mystery

Words nearby mystery

Definition for mystery (2 of 2)

noun, plural mys·ter·ies.Archaic.

Origin of mystery

Content related to mystery

Words related to mystery

Example sentences from the Web for mystery

British Dictionary definitions for mystery (1 of 2)

noun plural -teries

Word Origin for mystery

British Dictionary definitions for mystery (2 of 2)

noun plural -teries archaic

Word Origin for mystery