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

Other Word Forms

• mysteriously adverb
• mysteriousness noun
• quasi-mysterious adjective
• quasi-mysteriously adverb
• unmysterious adjective
• unmysteriously adverb
• unmysteriousness 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

But I must consider: What was the mysterious confluence that caused my knee to break at the time Gail’s mother died, bringing Gail and me to one table, in one place, at one time?

From Los Angeles Times

It heard that in May 2019 Hopper had below knee amputations after a "mysterious illness".

From BBC

Radiohead have announced their first tour in seven years, after teasing it with a series of mysterious flyers that appeared in cities across Europe.

From BBC

As many readers' top choice to play mysterious group leader Elizabeth, Dame Helen, 80, admits to thinking the same when she first read the novel.

From BBC

When she’s rebuffed by a high-powered law firm, she’s provided a mysterious number to call.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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