mystery

1 of 2

noun (1)

mys·​tery ˈmi-st(ə-)rē 

plural mysteries

1

a

: something not understood or beyond understanding : enigma

The mystery of his disappearance has never been solved.

b

: a piece of fiction dealing usually with the solution of a mysterious crime

Reading mysteries was her favorite pastime.

c

: the secret or specialized practices or ritual peculiar to an occupation or a body of people

the mysteries of the tailor's craft

d

obsolete : a private secret

2

: profound, inexplicable, or secretive quality or character

the mystery of her smile

the mysteries and beauties of nature

3

a

: a religious truth that one can know only by revelation and cannot fully understand

the mystery of the Trinity

b(1)

: any of the 20 events (such as the Nativity, the Crucifixion, or the Assumption) serving as a subject for meditation during the saying of the rosary

(2)

capitalized : a Christian sacrament

specifically : eucharist

c(1)

: a secret religious rite believed (as in Eleusinian and Mithraic cults) to impart enduring bliss to the initiate

(2)

: a cult devoted to such rites

4

: mystery play

mystery

2 of 2

noun (2)

plural mysteries

1

archaic : trade, craft

2

archaic : a body of persons engaged in a particular trade, business, or profession : guild

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• closed book
• conundrum
• enigma
• head-scratcher
• mystification
• puzzle
• puzzlement
• riddle
• secret
• why

Choose the Right Synonym for mystery

mystery, problem, enigma, riddle, puzzle mean something which baffles or perplexes.

mystery applies to what cannot be fully understood by reason or less strictly to whatever resists or defies explanation.

the mystery of the stone monoliths

problem applies to a question or difficulty calling for a solution or causing concern.

problems created by high technology

enigma applies to utterance or behavior that is very difficult to interpret.

his suicide remains an enigma

riddle suggests an enigma or problem involving paradox or apparent contradiction.

the riddle of the reclusive pop star

puzzle applies to an enigma or problem that challenges ingenuity for its solution.

the thief's motives were a puzzle for the police

Examples of mystery in a Sentence

Noun (1)

why my sister married that guy is still a mystery to my parents

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Still, the family is on edge, unnerved by the nightly mystery. —Alyce McFadden, New York Times, 8 Dec. 2024

Unconventional love interests might start showing up — hello, mystery, you quirky, irresistible thing. —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 7 Dec. 2024

The art on view, in its day, was cutting-edge but infused with Gothic mystery, much as the best Christmases are about busy people, living in the present, gathering to reflect, reminisce, and hope for a miracle or two. —Brian T. Allen, National Review, 7 Dec. 2024

The game combines various genres to build a mystery, including time loops. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English mysterie "hidden religious truth, rite or event with religious significance, hidden meaning," borrowed from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French misterie, borrowed from Late Latin mystērium "hidden religious truth revealed by God, religious rite, Eucharist," going back to Latin (in plural mystēria), "secret religious rites, things not to be divulged," borrowed from Greek mystḗrion, plural mystḗria "religious rite to which only initiates may be admitted, secret" (in the New Testament, "religious truth revealed by God"), from mys-, base of mýstēs "person initiated (into a religious cult)" + -tērion, suffix in words denoting instruments, place and ceremonies (derivative of -tēr, agent suffix) — more at mystic entry 1

Noun (2)

Middle English mysterie "ministry, office, craft," borrowed from Medieval Latin misterium "duty, office, occupation, trade," in part Latinization of Anglo-French mester, mister (continental Old French mestier) "function, duty, pursuit, trade, craft, guild" (going back to Late Latin mīsterium, variant of Latin ministerium "office of a servant or attendant, duty, support"), in part borrowed directly from Late Latin — more at ministry

Note: Medieval and Late Latin misterium are conventionally explained as a conflation of ministerium and Late Latin mystērium "hidden religious truth, religious rite, Eucharist" (see mystery entry 1), though a Late Latin form mīsterium (assuming manuscript spellings are early) would be a natural outcome of ministerium with loss of the pre-tonic vowel and nasal consonant.

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing mystery

• mystery play

Kids Definition

mystery

noun

mys·​tery

ˈmis-t(ə-)rē

plural mysteries

1

a

: a religious truth that cannot be fully understood

b

: any of the 15 events (as the Nativity, the Crucifixion, or the Assumption) which serve as subjects for meditation by Roman Catholics as they say the rosary

2

a

: something that has not been or cannot be explained

where they went is a mystery

b

: a deep secret

kept their plans a mystery

3

: a work of fiction dealing with the solution of a mysterious crime