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

The tracks were all exactly five minutes long, which lent further mystery, as if they’d been produced by some arcane assembly line. — Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 6 July 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

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

The Bringers of the Cosmic Dawn seek to tear the barrier down in pursuit of their own vision, while the Red Wizards of Thay maneuver in the shadows, hungry to seize the arcane power within. — Jennifer Maas, Variety, 24 June 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