mystical

American  

[mis-ti-kuhl] / ˈmɪs tɪ kəl /

adjective

1. mystic; of or relating to supernatural agencies, affairs, occurrences, etc..

   a strange, mystical experience.

2. of or relating to mystics or mysticism.

   mystical writings.

3. spiritually symbolic.

   a mystical vision of the hereafter.

4. obscure in meaning; mysterious.

   mystical circumstances.

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mystical British  

/ ˈmɪstɪkəl /

adjective

1. relating to or characteristic of mysticism

2. Christianity having a divine or sacred significance that surpasses natural human apprehension

3. having occult or metaphysical significance, nature, or force

4. a less common word for mysterious

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Related Words

See mysterious.

Other Word Forms

• mysticality noun
• mystically adverb
• mysticalness noun

Etymology

Origin of mystical

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English; mystic, -al ¹

Explanation

Things that are mystical are magical or mysterious, possibly having to do with the supernatural or the occult. If you like to read fantasy stories, then you've probably read about a lot of mystical people and events. The power of a wizard is mystical — that is, magical, and not real. Witches are mystical. The unicorn is a mystical animal. Religions tend to involve mystical events, like miracles. Magicians try to make audiences believe they have mystical powers. Mystical things aren't real, but in a story or magic act, they can be fun to imagine.

Example Sentences

Third is the persistence of unusual experiences, such as near-death experiences, mystical states, or episodes of terminal lucidity, which do not fit neatly into existing scientific frameworks.

From Science Daily • Apr. 6, 2026

Sir Michael, who plays one of a trio of mystical wise men from the Land of Know-Alls, says the book as a child "got me going and thinking about travel".

From BBC • Mar. 22, 2026

For Stevanovic, although his initial inspiration was the spiritual practices of Tibetan monks, the general appeal of icy plunges is a little less mystical -- overwhelming shock of "extreme cold".

From Barron's • Feb. 13, 2026

For Toussaint, who died in 2015, it was a mystical meditation on gazing up at the night sky over the Louisiana countryside during drives from his native New Orleans.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 2, 2026

If some mystical clarity of thought came when you looked death in the eye, then I knew Morrie wanted to share it.

From "Tuesdays with Morrie" by Mitch Albom

Related Words

• esoteric
• magical