mystery

The word “mystery” means something unexplained, unknown, or puzzling. In plain terms, something puzzling or unknown — or a story genre built around solving a secret.

“Mystery” is pronounced MIHS-tree (/ˈmɪs.t(ə.)ɹi/ in IPA).

Here is “mystery” used in a sentence: “How the vase broke remains a complete mystery.”

Words with a similar meaning to “mystery” include enigma and roun.

“Mystery” is a noun.

The word “mystery” comes from Ancient Greek. From Latin mysterium, from Ancient Greek mysterion ("a secret rite"), from a root meaning "to initiate.".

“Mystery” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

“Mystery” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: something unexplained, unknown, or puzzling.

A puzzle is usually designed to be solved and has a definite answer, like a crossword or riddle. A mystery is broader — anything unexplained or unknown, which may or may not ever be solved. Every puzzle involves some mystery, but many mysteries, such as unsolved cases, resist any neat solution.

In everyday use, a mystery can be a genuine unknown, a secret being kept, or a truth thought to lie beyond full understanding. As a story genre, mysteries include detective fiction, whodunits, cosy mysteries, thrillers, and crime dramas — all built around a central question the reader wants answered.

Everyday examples include an unexplained noise in the night, a missing object no one can account for, or a historical question like how ancient monuments were built. In fiction, a classic mystery is a detective story where a crime must be pieced together from scattered clues.

The opposite is something fully known, explained, or obvious — a fact, a certainty, or a solved question. Where a mystery leaves us guessing, its opposite leaves nothing in doubt. Words like 'answer,' 'explanation,' and 'certainty' capture the sense of a mystery finally resolved.