mystical

[mis-ti-kuhl]

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

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• mystically adverb
• mysticality noun
• mysticalness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of mystical¹

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

Synonym Study

See mysterious.

Example Sentences

"It inspired me so much. There was something almost mystical about it," she said.

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A mix of store-bought animatronics, handmade props and found objects — vintage lamps, creatures with elongated necks and an assortment of mystical, witchy knickknacks, fill every nook.

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Part of the enduring power of Vasari’s rinascita might derive from the mystical resonances within the word.

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“I don’t know if I could replicate it because I find that the algorithm is this kind of amorphous, ever-changing, mystical thing that no one can ever really crack,” James said.

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For several agonizing minutes, they sit together saying nothing, as Black Sabbath’s mystical ballad “Solitude” plays softly on the stereo.

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Related Words

• esoteric 
• magical