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

My overwhelming impression was of stuff, everywhere, any individual mystique diluted by the sheer exhausting quantity of it all. —Rachel Monroe, The New Yorker, 18 Mar. 2024

Continue reading here How Shohei Ohtani’s ‘mystique’ is transforming the Dodgers’ future ANGELS From Mike DiGiovanna: The sound of silence. —Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2024

The movie is both a throwback and a recreation of the time, a movie steeped in the glamor and mystique of old Hollywood. —EW.com, 2 Mar. 2024

Enriched by the agile, near-cartoonish drawings of Morris, Lucky Luke is a comedic Western in the vein of Destry Rides Again and El Dorado, with the occasional splash of Sergio Leone’s spaghetti mystique. —Ernesto Lechner, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Feb. 2024

And maybe that mystique — a rarity in the age of show-and-tell-everything social media — is what made the Grammys performance so special. —Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 8 Feb. 2024

For luxury enthusiasts, the mystique and unattainability of the Birkin only adds to its desirability. —Jasmine Li, Fortune, 20 Mar. 2024

Musk has become a polarizing figure, drained of all mystique. —Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2024

The property sits on lush greenery, as well, adding to the mystique of the overall estate. —Tj MacIas, Kansas City Star, 7 Feb. 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