WordGarden.iomysterious
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /mɪstˈiərɪəs/
US
- /mɪˈstɪriəs/
Meanings
Adjective
difficult to explain, understand, or know fully
having a secretive, occult, or supernatural quality
Beyond the definition
Something mysterious isn't easily explained or understood. It holds secrets, whispers questions, and invites curiosity. Think of an ancient ruin hidden deep in the jungle—its purpose lost to time, shrouded in vines... that's mysterious! A locked room with no apparent way in is mysterious. Even a simple smile can be mysterious if you can't quite figure out what someone is thinking. The word often suggests something intriguing rather than frightening, though it can hint at danger. Agatha Christie built her career on crafting mysterious plots and characters that kept readers guessing until the very end.
The word "mysterious" describes something that is hard to explain, hard to know fully, or not clearly understood. It is more than just "unknown." It often carries a sense of depth, uncertainty, or hidden meaning. A mysterious disappearance, for example, is not just a person going missing. It is a case with unanswered questions and unusual details.
Mysterious can describe people, places, events, expressions, sounds, and ideas. A quiet stranger with an unreadable face may seem mysterious. An old house on a hill can feel mysterious. The deep ocean and the origins of the universe are often called mysterious because we still do not fully understand them. Even a letter with no name on it can seem mysterious.
The word usually brings a feeling of curiosity, wonder, or suspense. Sometimes it feels exciting, and sometimes it feels a little unsettling. It is close in meaning to "strange" or "unknown," but it often suggests that there is something more to discover. Unlike "secret," it does not always mean that someone is hiding the truth on purpose. Something can be mysterious simply because no one has explained it yet.
So, when something makes you pause, wonder, and ask questions, "mysterious" is often the right word. It points to the shadowy edge of what we know, where answers are still out of reach and the story is not yet complete.
Examples
- 1
Household sound
We heard a mysterious noise coming from the attic.
- 2
Suspicious visitor
A mysterious woman left a package at the front desk and walked away.
- 3
Police investigation
Police are still investigating his mysterious disappearance.
- 4
Avoiding details
Tom was strangely mysterious about where he had been all afternoon.
- Patternbe mysterious about + topic
avoid giving clear details about it
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Unclear cause
The lights went out for mysterious reasons just before the meeting started.
- 6
Atmosphere
The old house had a mysterious atmosphere, especially at night.
- 7
Unclear death
She died under mysterious circumstances.
- Phraseunder mysterious circumstances
in a situation where the facts are not clear
- 8
Life saying
My grandmother always said love works in mysterious ways.
- Phrasework in mysterious ways
have results that are hard to understand or predict
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Do not confuse
Used with (collocations)
- mysterious disappearance
- mysterious circumstances
- mysterious stranger
Word family
Explore
- the unknown
- suspense
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- mysteriousadjective