Mystery Meaning and Definition
Mystery
Pronunciation
/ˈmɪstəri/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A feeling of wonder, curiosity, or confusion about something that is not immediately understood or explained.
Examples
- The detective tried to solve the mystery of the missing jewels.
- The mysterious sound in the night kept me up.
Synonyms
- Enigma
- Conundrum
- Puzzle
Antonyms
- Certainty
- Clarity
Etymology
The word “mystery” comes from the 14th-century Old French word “mistere”, which is derived from the Latin word “mysterium”, meaning “secret” or “hidden thing”.
Usage Notes
Mystery is often used to describe a situation or phenomenon that is difficult to understand or explain, and can also be used to describe something that is fascinating or intriguing.
Cultural References
The term “mystery” has been used in various forms of media, including literature, film, and television, to describe plots or characters that are shrouded in secrecy or enigmatic.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
The phrase “to unravel the mystery” means to solve or understand a puzzle or enigma.
Related Words or Phrases
Words and phrases closely related to “mystery” include “enigma”, “riddle”, “puzzle”, and “whodunit”.
Collocations
Mystery often collocates with words such as “detective”, “investigation”, “crime”, and “suspense”.
Frequency of Use
Mystery is a relatively common term in modern language, used in a variety of contexts including literature, film, and everyday conversation.
Common Misspellings
Some common misspellings of “mystery” include “mistery”, “mystrey”, and “misterie”.