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

Example Sentences

The artist’s first New York retrospective, currently on view at the International Center of Photography, reveals a cinematic eye and a taste for the mystical.

From The Wall Street Journal

He escapes into a mystical realm that is shown in a series of short films which span the 20th century, each vignette starring him in a different guise.

From Los Angeles Times

Ms. Iturbide was born in Mexico City in 1942, an her traditional Catholic upbringing clearly shapes her interests, her photographs often featuring rites, rituals and mystical elements.

From The Wall Street Journal

While on tracks like “Harry Stamper” and “Sábanas,” he embraces whimsical synthesizers and staccato vocal patterns to create a mystical soundscape.

From Los Angeles Times

Instead, his task is to use this mystical second chance to be a better person.

From Salon

Related Words

• esoteric
• magical