B2adjective2K

Mysterious

UK /["/mɪˈstɪəriəs/"]/US /["/mɪˈstɪriəs/"]/

Definition

difficult to understand or explain; strange

In simple words: Something that is strange and hard to understand.

Examples

  • The disappearance of the ancient artifact remains a mysterious event in history.
  • The night sky was filled with mysterious stars, twinkling in different colors.
  • She received a mysterious letter with no return address.
  • The forest had a mysterious aura that made visitors feel uneasy.
  • In the movie, the protagonist encounters a mysterious stranger who changes his life.

Usage notes

Use 'mysterious' to describe things that have an element of the unknown or are puzzling. It's appropriate in both spoken and written contexts, but avoid it in overly casual settings as it might sound too elaborate.

Grammar pattern

standalone adjective

Memory hint

Think of 'mystery' – something you want to solve, but it’s hidden.

Collocations

  • mysterious figure
  • mysterious event
  • mysterious circumstances
  • mysterious past
  • mysterious disappearance

Synonyms

  • enigmatic

Antonyms

  • obvious
  • clear
  • evident

Common mistakes

  • Using 'mysterious' to describe something common or usual.
  • Confusing 'mysterious' with 'mystical'.
  • Incorrectly spelling 'mysterious' as 'mysteriuos'.