mystery
MIHS-tree
Mystery (noun) means something unexplained, unknown, or puzzling. Example: “How the vase broke remains a complete mystery.”
noun
1
Something unexplained, unknown, or puzzling.
"How the vase broke remains a complete mystery."
"There's an air of mystery about the old house on the hill."
"Where the missing keys went is still a mystery to everyone in the house."
2
A story, book, or film built around solving a puzzling crime, with the answer revealed at the end.
"She loves reading detective mysteries on holiday."
"I stayed up all night to finish the mystery because I had to know who did it."
"The library has a whole shelf of classic mysteries set in quiet English villages."
3
A religious truth or rite considered beyond ordinary human understanding.
"The priest spoke of the mystery of the Eucharist."
"Many believers accept the mystery of the Trinity without trying to fully explain it."
"In the sermon, the vicar described the resurrection as a holy mystery beyond human reason."
How to use mystery
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething puzzling or unknown — or a story genre built around solving a secret.
Common pairings
solve a mystery
a mystery novel
shrouded in mystery
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Word forms
- Plural
- mysteries
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How the vase broke remains a complete _____.
Etymology
From Latin mysterium, from Ancient Greek mysterion ("a secret rite"), from a root meaning "to initiate."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for mystery
See all rhymes for mystery →Frequently asked questions
What does “mystery” mean?
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.
How do you pronounce “mystery”?
“Mystery” is pronounced MIHS-tree (/ˈmɪs.t(ə.)ɹi/ in IPA).
How do you use “mystery” in a sentence?
Here is “mystery” used in a sentence: “How the vase broke remains a complete mystery.”
What is another word for “mystery”?
Words with a similar meaning to “mystery” include enigma and roun.
What part of speech is “mystery”?
“Mystery” is a noun.
Where does the word “mystery” come from?
The word “mystery” comes from Ancient Greek. From Latin mysterium, from Ancient Greek mysterion ("a secret rite"), from a root meaning "to initiate.".
Is “mystery” a common word?
“Mystery” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “mystery” have?
“Mystery” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: something unexplained, unknown, or puzzling.
What is the difference between a mystery and a puzzle?
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.
What are the types of mystery?
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.
What is an example of a mystery?
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.
What is the opposite of a mystery?
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.
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