mystic

1 of 2

adjective

mys·​tic ˈmi-stik 

1

: mystical sense 1a

a mystic journey

2

: of or relating to mysteries or esoteric rites : occult

3

: of or relating to mysticism or mystics

4

a

: mysterious

b

: obscure, enigmatic

spoke mystic words

c

: inducing a feeling of awe or wonder

d

: having magical properties

mystic numbers

mystic

2 of 2

noun

1

: a follower of a mystical way of life

2

: an advocate of a theory of mysticism

Synonyms of mystic

Adjective

• magic
• magical

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

Adjective

Helena, meanwhile, was supposedly a mystic receiving directions from spiritual masters hidden in the Himalayas. —Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 24 Oct. 2025

This was the danger Madison considered — that mystic memory would falsely elevate the Constitution. —Big Think, 10 Oct. 2025

Noun

This ancient practice has been a source of guidance and meaning for people from all walks of life, not just mystics and starry-eyed romantics. —Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025

Those are some of the more familiar titles from the towering stack of September 2025 poetry, so read on for a few surprises, including superheroes, mystics and martyrs, along with an overdue Selected Poems and a debut that conjures a boi Cain and her sister Abel. —Rebecca Morgan Frank september 2, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2025

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

Phrases Containing mystic

• mystic fire topaz
• mystic topaz

Rhymes for mystic

• cystic
• agonistic
• altruistic
• animistic
• aphoristic
• atheistic
• cabalistic
• calvinistic
• chauvinistic
• dualistic
• egoistic
• egotistic

Kids Definition

mystic

1 of 2 adjective

mys·​tic ˈmis-tik 

1

: mystical sense 1

2

: of or relating to magic : occult

3

: mysterious, awesome

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 

river in eastern Massachusetts flowing southeast into Boston Harbor