mysterious

[ mi-steer-ee-uhs ]

adjective

1. full of, characterized by, or involving mystery:

   a mysterious occurrence.

   Synonyms: cryptic, occult, esoteric, secret

2. implying or suggesting a mystery:

   a mysterious smile.

3. of obscure nature, meaning, origin, etc.; puzzling; inexplicable:

   a mysterious inscription on the ancient tomb.

   Synonyms: impenetrable, enigmatic, incomprehensible, unintelligible, unfathomable

mysterious

/ mɪˈstɪərɪəs /

adjective

1. characterized by or indicative of mystery
2. puzzling, curious, or enigmatic

Derived Forms

• mysˈteriously, adverb
• mysˈteriousness, noun

Other Words From

• mys·teri·ous·ly adverb
• mys·teri·ous·ness noun
• quasi-mys·teri·ous adjective
• quasi-mys·teri·ous·ly adverb
• unmys·teri·ous adjective
• unmys·teri·ous·ly adverb
• unmys·teri·ous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of mysterious¹

First recorded in 1610–20; mystery ¹ + -ous

Synonym Study

Mysterious, inscrutable, mystical, obscure refer to that which is not easily comprehended or explained. That which is mysterious, by being unknown or puzzling, excites curiosity, amazement, or awe: a mysterious disease. Inscrutable applies to that which is impenetrable, so enigmatic that one cannot interpret its significance: an inscrutable smile. That which is mystical has a secret significance, such as that attaching to certain rites or signs: mystical symbols. That which is obscure is discovered or comprehended dimly or with difficulty: obscure motives.

Example Sentences

Just as mysterious are the Chargers under the seasoned Jim Harbaugh, in his debut season as coach.

From Los Angeles Times

The mysterious whale first came to public attention five years ago when it approached fishermen off the northern coast of Norway.

From BBC

It was just last month when 63-year-old Fernando Valenzuela, the beloved Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher who sparked Fernandomania, died from a mysterious illness.

From Los Angeles Times

It is a huge milestone for crypto with some fans believing that Bitcoin is finally being taken as seriously as the mysterious Satoshi imagined.

From BBC

Throughout his career Pickthall worked in TV and film, conducting music on Tracy Beaker: The Movie of Me in 2004 and supervising the music for Julian Fellowes' A Most Mysterious Murder in 2005.

From BBC

Related Words

• baffling
• cryptic
• curious
• dark
• enigmatic
• inexplicable
• inscrutable
• magical
• mystical
• mystifying
• obscure
• perplexing
• puzzling
• secretive
• strange
• unknown
• weird