arcane

adjective

ar·​cane är-ˈkān 

: known or knowable only to a few people : secret

arcane rites

an arcane ritual

broadly : mysterious, obscure

arcane explanations

arcane technical details

Synonyms of arcane

• esoteric
• profound

Examples of arcane in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There was a lot of talk about arcane dietary laws, and no zippers to be found. — Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 25 May 2026

The law in question is, like all campaign-finance rules, arcane. — David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 1 July 2026

And since each state tax operates under its own often arcane rules, those costs can come as an unpleasant surprise. — Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026

Davis was known for her policy chops and a deep understanding of complicated subjects gleaned by arcane research. — Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin arcānus "secret, private, intimate," from arca "chest, coffer, box" + -ānus -an entry 2 — more at ark

First Known Use

1547, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for arcane

• abstain
• airplane
• alkane
• arraign
• attain
• backplane
• betaine
• biplane
• blockchain
• butane
• campaign
• cetane