Cryptic: meaning, definitions and examples

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cryptic

 

[ ˈkrɪptɪk ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

mysterious

Having a meaning that is mysterious or obscure.

Synonyms

ambiguous, enigmatic, mysterious, puzzling.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
cryptic

Use this when something is intentionally obscure and difficult to understand, often conveying hidden meaning.

  • The message he left was cryptic, making it hard to know what he truly meant.
mysterious

This fits when something is strange or not easily explained, evoking curiosity and wonder.

  • The old house at the end of the street always seemed mysterious to the neighborhood kids.
enigmatic

Use this when something or someone is intriguing because they are difficult to understand or interpret, often with a sense of mystery.

  • The artist is known for his enigmatic paintings, which captivate viewers with their depth.
puzzling

This is best for situations where something is confusing and hard to figure out, often causing frustration.

  • The instructions for the new software were puzzling, leading to many user complaints.
ambiguous

This is suitable for situations where something can be understood in more than one way, leading to confusion or multiple interpretations.

  • Her ambiguous statement left everyone unsure about her true intentions.

Examples of usage

  • It was a cryptic message that nobody could understand.
  • The cryptic symbols on the ancient artifact puzzled archaeologists.
  • The cryptic smile on her face made him wonder what she was thinking.
  • The cryptic nature of the painting left viewers intrigued.
  • The cryptic crossword puzzle required a lot of deciphering.

Translations

Translations of the word "cryptic" in other languages:

🇵🇹 críptico

🇮🇳 रहस्यमय

🇩🇪 rätselhaft

🇮🇩 misterius

🇺🇦 загадковий

🇵🇱 tajemniczy

🇯🇵 謎めいた (nazo meita)

🇫🇷 cryptique

🇪🇸 críptico

🇹🇷 gizemli

🇰🇷 수수께끼 같은 (susu kkeokki gateun)

🇸🇦 غامض

🇨🇿 záhadný

🇸🇰 záhadný

🇨🇳 神秘的 (shénmì de)

🇸🇮 skrivnosten

🇮🇸 dularfullur

🇰🇿 жұмбақ

🇬🇪 ამოუხსნელი

🇦🇿 sirli

🇲🇽 críptico

Etymology

The word 'cryptic' originated from the Greek word 'kryptikos', meaning hidden or secret. It has been used in English since the mid-17th century to describe something with a hidden or mysterious meaning.

See also: crypt, cryptanalysis, cryptanalyst, cryptanalytics, crypto, cryptogram, cryptography, cryptology, cryptosystem, decrypt, encrypt.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #19,293, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.