mystery
1anything 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.
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.
Origin of mystery
1Other words for mystery
Words Nearby mystery
Other definitions for mystery (2 of 2)
a craft or trade.
a guild, as of merchants.
Origin of mystery
2Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use mystery in a sentence
Yet, only when we understand how it works—and that is still a mystery—will we be able to tune its behavior and start developing it into a technology.
This ‘Quantum Brain’ Would Mimic Our Own to Speed Up AI | Shelly Fan | February 9, 2021 | Singularity HubThe most challenging part was getting all those edge cases right, particularly when there were repeated letters in one of your guesses or in the mystery word itself.
The identity and social standing of the mud-wrapped individual remains a mystery.
An ancient Egyptian mummy was wrapped in an unusual mud shell | Maria Temming | February 3, 2021 | Science NewsVolunteering to take a mystery shot for science can definitely give parents and teens pause.
Five questions about COVID-19 vaccine trials in teens, answered | Bethany Brookshire | February 1, 2021 | Science News For StudentsMuch of shorting’s mystery comes from its complicated mechanics.
But the real mystery and injustice came from Brooke being essentially written out of the history of the civil rights movement.
Ed Brooke: The Senate's Civil Rights Pioneer and Prophet of a Post-Racial America | John Avlon | January 4, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTThe fate of AirAsia Flight 8501 and the 162 souls on board is a tragedy, but it will not remain a mystery for much longer.
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 | THE DAILY BEASTDue 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 | THE DAILY BEASTBut 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 | THE DAILY BEASTHere began indeed, in the drab surroundings of the workshop, in the silent mystery of the laboratory, the magic of the new age.
The Unsolved Riddle of Social Justice | Stephen LeacockThe beauty, the mystery,—this fierce sunshine or something—stir——' She hesitated for a fraction of a second.
The Wave | Algernon BlackwoodThe sudden pall of darkness in this strange house of mystery was just a tiny bit awesome.
The Boarded-Up House | Augusta Huiell SeamanHe professed both to abominate and despise all mystery, refinement, and intrigue, either in a prince or a minister.
Gulliver's Travels | Jonathan SwiftAt last the report of several rifles from the island of trees gave us a clue to the mystery.
British Dictionary definitions for mystery (1 of 2)
/ (ˈmɪstərɪ, -trɪ) /
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
Origin of mystery
1British Dictionary definitions for mystery (2 of 2)
/ (ˈmɪstərɪ) /
a trade, occupation, or craft
a guild of craftsmen
Origin of mystery
2Collins 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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