View synonyms for mystery

mystery

[ mis-tuh-ree, -tree ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

plural mysteries.

anything that is kept secret or remains unexplained or unknown:
the mysteries of nature.
any affair, thing, or person that presents features or qualities so obscure as to arouse curiosity or speculation:
The masked guest is an absolute mystery to everyone.
a novel, short story, play, or film whose plot involves a crime or other event that remains puzzlingly unsettled until the very end:
a mystery by Agatha Christie.
obscure, puzzling, or mysterious quality or character:
the mystery of Mona Lisa's smile.
Synonyms: secrecy, mystique, obscurity, ambiguity, riddle, secret, problem, puzzle, enigma
any truth that is unknowable except by divine revelation.
(in the Christian religion)
1. a sacramental rite.
2. Eucharist ( def 1 ).
an incident or scene in connection with the life of Christ, regarded as of special significance:
the mysteries of the Passion.
any of the 15 events in the lives of Christ and the Virgin Mary meditated upon during the recitation of the rosary.
mysteries,
1. ancient religions that admitted candidates by secret rites and rituals the meaning of which was known only to initiated worshipers.
2. any rites or secrets known only to those initiated:
  the mysteries of Freemasonry.
3. (in the Christian religion) the Eucharistic elements.
mystery play.

mystery

[ mis-tuh-ree ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

Archaic.

plural mysteries.

a craft or trade.
a guild, as of merchants.

mystery

/ ˈmɪstərɪ; -trɪ /

noun

an unexplained or inexplicable event, phenomenon, etc
a person or thing that arouses curiosity or suspense because of an unknown, obscure, or enigmatic quality
the state or quality of being obscure, inexplicable, or enigmatic
a story, film, etc, which arouses suspense and curiosity because of facts concealed
Christianity any truth that is divinely revealed but otherwise unknowable
Christianity a sacramental rite, such as the Eucharist, or ( when plural ) the consecrated elements of the Eucharist
often plural any of various rites of certain ancient Mediterranean religions
short for mystery play

mystery

/ ˈmɪstərɪ /

noun

a trade, occupation, or craft
a guild of craftsmen

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Word History and Origins

Origin of mystery¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English misteri(e), from Latin mystērium “a secret,” (plural) mystēria “secret rites,” from Greek mystḗrion, equivalent to mýs(tēs) “an initiate (into the Eleusinian mysteries)” + -tērion noun suffix; mystic )

Origin of mystery²

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English misteri(e) “ministry, office; handicraft, art; guild” from Old French mistere and Medieval Latin misterium, variant of Latin ministerium ministry, confused with mystērium mystery ¹( def )

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Word History and Origins

Origin of mystery¹

C14: via Latin from Greek mustērion secret rites. See mystic

Origin of mystery²

C14: from Medieval Latin mistērium, from Latin ministerium occupation, from minister official

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Example Sentences

The cleverest mystery is no better than its characters and, when it’s made for the screen, the actors who play them.

From Los Angeles Times

How a 30-year-old singer, born in Argentina and raised in Spain, manages to channel the smoldering melodrama of Latin music’s golden era with such uncanny precision remains a bit of a mystery.

From Los Angeles Times

Hutchins was the victim of a series of bad decisions, carelessness and at least one remaining mystery: how live bullets came to be on the set of “Rust.”

From Los Angeles Times

Becerra Moran left behind almost no online presence, and mystery surrounds how she ended up at the San Fernando Valley motel where police shot her.

From Los Angeles Times

With enthusiasm for coffee so strong it's something of a mystery to Gail's chief executive Tom Molnar why people object to his chain.

From BBC

Related Words

mysterious mystery bag

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