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.

---

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

---

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; see 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

Penda explains that from the 17th Century onwards, various ethnic groups told the legend of Luchele, a mystical, white-looking figure who helped their ancestors set up their kingdoms.

From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026

Other creatures possess more mystical abilities, such as the scaly, deerlike qilin who can recognize whether a “person holds good or evil in their heart.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

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

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

And the third was always special, exalted, endowed with mystical gifts.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides

Related Words

• esoteric
• magical