mysterious

mys·te·ri·ous

adjective \mis-ˈtir-ē-əs\

Definition of MYSTERIOUS

1

a : of, relating to, or constituting mystery <the mysterious ways of God>

b : exciting wonder, curiosity, or surprise while baffling efforts to comprehend or identify : mystifying <heard a mysterious noise> <a mysterious stranger>

2

: stirred by or attracted to the inexplicable

— mys·te·ri·ous·ly adverb

— mys·te·ri·ous·ness noun

Examples of MYSTERIOUS

1. the mysterious ways of nature
2. We heard a mysterious noise outside our tent.
3. He died under mysterious circumstances.
4. A mysterious illness has been spreading through the city.
5. There's something mysterious about that old woman.
6. Her behavior was very mysterious.

First Known Use of MYSTERIOUS

1599

Related to MYSTERIOUS

Synonyms

arcane, cryptic, deep, enigmatic (also enigmatical), impenetrable, inscrutable, mystic, occult, uncanny

Antonyms

accessible, clear, nonambiguous, obvious, plain, unambiguous, unequivocal

Related Words

dark, darkling, fuzzy, murky, obscure, shadowy, vague; ambiguous, equivocal; imponderable, incomprehensible, unfathomable, unintelligible, unsearchable; inexplicable, unaccountable, unexplainable; unanswerable, unknowable; metaphysical, mystical, numinous, supernatural; abstruse, esoteric, recondite; baffling, befuddling, bewildering, confounding, confusing, disorienting, mystifying, perplexing, puzzling

Near Antonyms

fathomable, intelligible, understandable; apparent, clear, evident, manifest, obvious, open-and-shut, palpable, patent, perspicuous, plain, straightforward, transparent, unambiguous, unequivocal, unmistakable

Rhymes with MYSTERIOUS

cinereous, delirious, Guarnerius, imperious, Tiberius