Mystery Definition

mĭstə-rē

mysteries

noun

mysteries

Something unexplained, unknown, or kept secret.

The mystery of life.

Webster's New World

One that is not fully understood or that baffles or eludes the understanding; an enigma.

How he got in is a mystery.

American Heritage

One whose identity is unknown and who arouses curiosity.

The woman in the photograph is a mystery.

American Heritage

Any thing or event that remains so secret or obscure as to excite curiosity.

The new employee's past is a bit of a mystery.

Webster's New World

A novel, story, or play involving such an event, esp. one involving a crime and the gradual discovery of who committed it.

Webster's New World

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Other Word Forms of Mystery

Singular:

mystery

Plural:

Middle English misterie from Latin mystērium from Greek mustērion secret rite from mustēs an initiate from mūein to close the eyes, initiate Senses 8, 9, and perhaps 10, partly from Middle English misterie occupation, craft-guild mystery²

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
Middle English misterie from Medieval Latin misterium alteration (influenced by Latin mystērium secret rite) of Latin ministerium from minister assistant, servant mei-² in Indo-European roots

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
From Middle English mysterie, from Latin mysterium, from Ancient Greek μυστήριον (musterion, “a mystery, a secret, a secret rite"), from μύστης (mustÄ“s, “initiated one"), from μυέω (mueō, “I initiate"), from μύω (muō, “I shut").

From Wiktionary