Meaning & Definition of word "Mystery"
Mystery
/ˈmɪstəri/
noun:
- 1. Something that is difficult or impossible to understand or explain.
- Example: The sudden disappearance of the plane remains a mystery to this day.
- 2. A genre of literature or film that involves a crime or puzzle to be solved.
- Example: She enjoys reading mystery novels that keep her guessing until the last chapter.
- 3. A secret or hidden truth.
- Example: The ancient ruins hold many mysteries waiting to be uncovered by archaeologists.
Etymology
●From Latin 'mysterium', from Greek 'mysterion', meaning 'secret rite, secret doctrine, mystery.'
Common Phrases and Expressions
mystery novel:
A fictional story that typically involves a crime or puzzle.
mystery shopping:
The act of posing as a customer to evaluate the service of a business.
mystery meat:
A slang term for unidentified or unrecognizable meat, often used humorously.
Related Words
mysterious:
Having an unexplained or concealed nature.
mystification:
The act of making something mysterious or obscure.
mystic:
A person who seeks to attain communion with or discover knowledge about the divine.
Slang Meanings of mystery
Meaning: A puzzling situation or event.
● Example Sentence: That car crash was a total mystery; I can't believe how it happened.
Meaning: Something that is hard to figure out.
● Example Sentence: This homework is such a mystery; I don’t understand any of it.