mysterious

[ mi-steer-ee-uhs ]
See synonyms for mysterious on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. full of, characterized by, or involving mystery: a mysterious occurrence.

  2. implying or suggesting a mystery: a mysterious smile.

  1. of obscure nature, meaning, origin, etc.; puzzling; inexplicable: a mysterious inscription on the ancient tomb.

Origin of mysterious

1
First recorded in 1610–20; mystery1 + -ous

synonym study For mysterious

1. 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.

Other words for mysterious

Other words from mysterious

  • 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

Words Nearby mysterious

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use mysterious in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for mysterious

mysterious

/ (mɪˈstɪərɪəs) /


adjective
  1. characterized by or indicative of mystery

  2. puzzling, curious, or enigmatic

Derived forms of mysterious

  • mysteriously, adverb
  • mysteriousness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012