mysterious

[ mi-steer-ee-uhs ]
/ mɪˈstɪər i əs /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR mysterious ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

full of, characterized by, or involving mystery: a mysterious occurrence.
implying or suggesting a mystery: a mysterious smile.
of obscure nature, meaning, origin, etc.; puzzling; inexplicable: a mysterious inscription on the ancient tomb.

Origin of mysterious

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 FROM mysterious

Words nearby mysterious

mysophilia, mysophobia, mysore, myspace, mystagogue, mysterious, mystery, mystery bag, mystery play, mystery tour, mystic

Words related to mysterious

enigmatic, mystical, mystifying, perplexing, puzzling, cryptic, unknown, inscrutable, magical, inexplicable, baffling, dark, strange, secretive, curious, obscure, weird, abstruse, arcane, cabalistic

Example sentences from the Web for mysterious

British Dictionary definitions for mysterious

mysterious
/ (mɪˈstɪərɪəs) /

adjective

characterized by or indicative of mystery
puzzling, curious, or enigmatic

Derived forms of mysterious

mysteriously, adverb mysteriousness, noun