Demystify: meaning, definitions and examples
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demystify
[ dɪˈmɪstɪˌfaɪ ]
make clear
To demystify means to make something less mysterious or unclear, often by explaining it in simpler terms. It involves removing the confusion or complexity surrounding a subject, making it more accessible for understanding. This term is often used in contexts such as education, where complex topics are broken down for easier comprehension. By demystifying a subject, one can reveal underlying truths that may have been obscured by jargon or misconceptions.
Synonyms
clarify, explain, illuminate, simplify, unravel.
Examples of usage
- The teacher aimed to demystify the concept of quantum physics for her students.
- The guidebook helps demystify the process of home buying.
- We need to demystify the healthcare system for patients.
- His lecture sought to demystify the workings of the human brain.
Translations
Translations of the word "demystify" in other languages:
🇵🇹 desmistificar
🇮🇳 रहस्य को उजागर करना
🇩🇪 entmystifizieren
🇮🇩 menghilangkan misteri
🇺🇦 демістифікувати
🇵🇱 zdemaskować
🇯🇵 神秘を解明する
🇫🇷 démystifier
🇪🇸 desmitificar
🇹🇷 gizemini çözmek
🇰🇷 신비를 제거하다
🇸🇦 إزالة الغموض
🇨🇿 demystifikovat
🇸🇰 demystifikovať
🇨🇳 揭开神秘面纱
🇸🇮 demistificirati
🇮🇸 afmystifera
🇰🇿 мистиканы жою
🇬🇪 დემისტიფიკაცია
🇦🇿 mifləri aradan qaldırmaq
🇲🇽 desmitificar
Etymology
The word 'demystify' is formed from the prefix 'de-', meaning to remove or reverse, and 'mystify', which comes from the late Latin word 'mystificare', meaning to make mysterious or to obscure. The word began to appear in English in the early 20th century, roughly around the 1940s, gaining traction in academic and popular contexts as a way to encourage transparency and understanding in complex subjects. As the reliance on technical language increased in many fields, so did the use of 'demystify', reflecting a cultural push towards breaking down barriers of knowledge and making information more accessible. The term is now widely used in various disciplines, including science, education, and even personal development, as a method to encourage learning and foster curiosity.