mystique

noun

mys·​tique mi-ˈstēk 

1

: an air or attitude of mystery (see mystery entry 1 sense 1) and reverence developing around something or someone

the legendary singer's mystique

the mystique of the liturgy

2

: the special esoteric skill essential in a calling or activity

the mystique of yoga

the mystique of hang gliding

Examples of mystique in a Sentence

There's a certain mystique to people who fight fires.

No one has been able to copy the legendary singer's mystique.

the mystique of mountain climbing

Recent Examples on the Web

This is debated, but whatever the reality, there's a mystique around black cats that's undeniable. —Terry Baddoo, USA TODAY, 25 Oct. 2024

There was a mystique to the gigging musician wandering the big city in search of work, because this work was creative, improvisational, at times transcendent. —Hua Hsu, The New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2024

At a time when mystique can be in short supply in pop, leave it to Justin Vernon to revert to the age-old tradition of being a little more mysterious. —David Browne, Rolling Stone, 18 Oct. 2024

There’s an undeniable, intoxicating mystique embedded into every inch of the five-story building, which once primarily served as a cafeteria and community hub frequented by some of the city’s greatest creatives, from sci-fi author Ray Bradbury to Walt Disney. —Jess Joho, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, derivative of mystique, adjective, "magical, mystical," going back to Middle French, "having a hidden meaning," borrowed from Latin mysticus "secret" — more at mystic entry 1

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

mystique

noun

mys·​tique mis-ˈtēk 

: an attitude of mystery and respect developing around something or someone

the mystique of mountain climbing