arcane
7 synonyms and 6 antonyms for arcane, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Understood by very few people; mysterious and difficult to grasp because of how obscure or specialized it is.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use arcane
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
arcane knowledge
arcane rules
arcane rituals
Etymology
From Latin arcanus, "hidden, secret", from arceo, "to shut in or enclose".
Full origin of arcane →Frequently asked questions
What does “arcane” mean?
The word “arcane” means understood by very few people; mysterious and difficult to grasp because of how obscure or specialized it is. In plain terms, so obscure or specialized that hardly anyone understands it.
How do you pronounce “arcane”?
“Arcane” is pronounced ahr-KAYN (/ɑɹˈkeɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “arcane” in a sentence?
Here is “arcane” used in a sentence: “The tax code is full of arcane rules that even accountants struggle with.”
What is another word for “arcane”?
Words with a similar meaning to “arcane” include dark, enigmatic, esoteric, mystic, obscure and occult.
What is the opposite of “arcane”?
The opposite of “arcane” — its antonyms — are accessible, exoteric, irrecondite, nonesoteric and well-known.
What part of speech is “arcane”?
“Arcane” is an adjective.
Where does the word “arcane” come from?
The word “arcane” comes from Latin. From Latin arcanus, "hidden, secret", from arceo, "to shut in or enclose".
