noun
mysticism
MIHS-tih-sihz-uhm
Mysticism (noun) means Belief in or pursuit of direct spiritual knowledge or union with the divine, beyond ordinary reasoning. Example: “He became deeply interested in Sufi mysticism during his travels.”
noun
1
Belief in or pursuit of direct spiritual knowledge or union with the divine, beyond ordinary reasoning.
"He became deeply interested in Sufi mysticism during his travels."
"Mysticism plays a central role in several world religions."
How to use mysticism
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe pursuit of spiritual truth through direct, often unexplainable, personal experience rather than logic.
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like mysticism.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- mysticisms
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He became deeply interested in Sufi _____ during his travels.
Etymology
From mystic + -ism, ultimately from Ancient Greek mystikos ("secret, mystic").
Synonyms
View more →
religious mysticism
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for mysticism
See all rhymes for mysticism →Frequently asked questions
What does “mysticism” mean?
The word “mysticism” means belief in or pursuit of direct spiritual knowledge or union with the divine, beyond ordinary reasoning. In plain terms, the pursuit of spiritual truth through direct, often unexplainable, personal experience rather than logic.
How do you pronounce “mysticism”?
“Mysticism” is pronounced MIHS-tih-sihz-uhm (/ˈmɪs.tɪˌsɪz.əm/ in IPA).
How do you use “mysticism” in a sentence?
Here is “mysticism” used in a sentence: “He became deeply interested in Sufi mysticism during his travels.”
What is the opposite of “mysticism”?
The opposite of “mysticism” — its antonyms — is rationalism.
What part of speech is “mysticism”?
“Mysticism” is a noun.
Where does the word “mysticism” come from?
The word “mysticism” comes from Ancient Greek. From mystic + -ism, ultimately from Ancient Greek mystikos ("secret, mystic").
