cryptozoology

noun

cryp·​to·​zo·​ol·​o·​gy ˌkrip-tə-zō-ˈä-lə-jē 

-zə-ˈwä-

: the study of and search for animals and especially legendary animals (such as Sasquatch) usually in order to evaluate the possibility of their existence

cryptozoological

ˌkrip-tə-ˌzō-ə-ˈlä-ji-kəl 

adjective

cryptozoologist

ˌkrip-tə-zō-ˈä-lə-jist 

-zə-ˈwä-

noun

Examples of cryptozoology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

With its mix of Norse mythology, eighteenth-century cryptozoology, nineteenth-century science fiction, and the biblical apocalypse, the poem tells of something tragic and mysterious lying just beyond the bounds of human knowing. — Kathryn Hughes, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026

So Weird relies on mythology, the supernatural and cryptozoology. — Keith Langston, People.com, 6 July 2025

Like its Enlightenment-era forebears, contemporary cryptozoology is rooted in that same hunger for strangeness, and for an enchanted world. — Chris Wheatley, Longreads, 18 Jan. 2024

Skipping cryptozoology’s usual sensationalism, Abominable separates history and folklore from hoaxes and fakelore. — Breanna Draxler, Discover Magazine, 22 Oct. 2013

Word History

Etymology

crypto- + zoology

First Known Use

1968, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cryptozoology

• aetiology
• anthropology
• archaeology
• archeology
• audiology
• cardiology
• climatology
• cohomology
• cosmetology
• criminology
• demonology
• dermatology