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 early quantum pioneers didn’t realize — at first — that the arcane math that strikingly captured the conduct of atoms had left the real world behind. — Quanta Magazine, 26 Aug. 2026

For most Thai citizens, the selection of 200 new senators in 2024 through an arcane and untested self-nomination system barely registered, creating ample opportunity for manipulation. — Duncan McCargo, Foreign Affairs, 24 Aug. 2026

The reason that everyone is suddenly talking about Natalie Harp is because of speechwriting, an origin that seems almost arcane in the rhetoric-hungry electorate. — Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2026

That’s not just an arcane question of interest to paleontologists. — Alex Knapp, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 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