mystic

1 of 2

adjective

mys·​tic ˈmi-stik How to pronounce mystic (audio)
1
2
: of or relating to mysteries or esoteric rites : occult
3
: of or relating to mysticism or mystics
4
c
: inducing a feeling of awe or wonder
d
: having magical properties

mystic

2 of 2

noun

1
: a follower of a mystical way of life
2
: an advocate of a theory of mysticism

Examples of mystic in a Sentence

Adjective She had a mystic vision while praying. the notion that a cat has nine lives is based upon the belief that nine is a mystic number
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Among employees, he had been known as a deep thinker and even something of a mystic, regularly speaking in spiritual terms. Karen Hao, The Atlantic, 15 May 2025 Lag BaOmer celebrates the anniversary of the passing of the great sage and mystic Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. Rabbi Moishe Kievman, Sun Sentinel, 9 May 2025
Noun
The Conference of the Birds is a poem about sufism, the doctrine propounded by the mystics of Islam. Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025 Perhaps the mystics and statistics were waiting for the right moment. Devon Ivie, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mystic

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English mystyke "open to symbolic or spiritual interpretation," borrowed from Latin mysticus "of secret rites, secret," borrowed from Greek mystikós, from mýstēs "person initiated (into a religious cult)" (probably from mys-, variant stem of mȳ́ein "to close, shut [the eyes]"—of uncertain origin— + -tēs, agent suffix) + ikos -ic entry 1

Noun

probably derivative of mystic entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1640, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of mystic was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mystic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mystic. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

mystic

1 of 2 adjective
mys·​tic ˈmis-tik How to pronounce mystic (audio)
1
2
: of or relating to magic : occult
3

mystic

2 of 2 noun
: a person who seeks direct knowledge of God through meditation and prayer

Geographical Definition

Mystic

geographical name

Mys·​tic ˈmi-stik How to pronounce Mystic (audio)
river in eastern Massachusetts flowing southeast into Boston Harbor

More from Merriam-Webster on mystic

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