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

As members of the crash recovery crew search for survivors among the wreckage, they encounter mysterious predatory life forms more terrifying than they could have ever imagined.

From Salon

The causes of neurodegenerative diseases are largely mysterious, but the current thinking is that they involve inflammation, a normal function of the immune system that is usually short-lived in response to infections or wounds.

From Science Daily

He is forced to pursue a mysterious villain after being blackmailed into allowing a potentially dangerous package on board a Christmas Eve flight.

From BBC

Volcanoes were erupting on the mysterious far side of the moon billions of years ago, US and Chinese researchers have found.

From BBC

A mysterious box arrives from Germany containing a rice cooker but no note.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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