cryptic

[ krip-tik ]

adjective

1. mysterious in meaning; puzzling; ambiguous:

   a cryptic message.

   Synonyms: enigmatic

2. abrupt; terse; short:

   a cryptic note.

3. secret; occult:

   a cryptic writing.

4. involving or using cipher, code, etc.
5. Zoology. fitted for concealing; serving to camouflage.

noun

1. a cryptogram, especially one designed as a puzzle.

cryptic

/ ˈkrɪptɪk /

adjective

1. hidden; secret; occult
2. (esp of comments, sayings, etc) obscure in meaning
3. (of the coloration of animals) tending to conceal by disguising or camouflaging the shape

Derived Forms

• ˈcryptically, adverb

Other Words From

• crypti·cal·ly adverb
• non·cryptic adjective
• non·crypti·cal adjective
• non·crypti·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of cryptic¹

1595–1605; < Late Latin crypticus < Greek kryptikós hidden. See crypt, -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of cryptic¹

C17: from Late Latin crypticus, from Greek kruptikos, from kruptos concealed; see crypt

Synonym Study

See ambiguous.

Example Sentences

The tour news comes after MCR on Monday dropped a cryptic graphic on its social channels, captioned, “If you could be anything, what would you be?”

From Los Angeles Times

In a statement to The New York Times on Monday, Johnson seemed to confirm there was in fact a little secret between himself and the former president as he refused to share details on what the cryptic exchange really meant.

From Salon

The public event, which went viral in recent weeks for its cryptic fliers, drew contestants with bold brows and dark, curly hair, doppelgangers in “Wonka” and “Dune” costumes — and Chalamet himself, who did not enter the competition.

From Los Angeles Times

During the pandemic, I was researching the fashion industry when I stumbled across a cryptic Instagram comment written by a former model named Barrett Pall.

From BBC

Before changing her tune Tuesday, LaPaglia a day prior had posted a cryptic passage about letting go of the past.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ambiguous
• arcane
• enigmatic
• equivocal
• incomprehensible
• mysterious
• strange
• vague
• veiled