Mystery: meaning, definitions and examples

When referring to something that is difficult or impossible to understand or explain and often involves an element of intrigue or secrecy.

• The disappearance of the ancient civilization remains a mystery.
• The detective was determined to solve the mystery of the missing jewels.

Used to describe a person or thing that is mysterious, puzzling, and difficult to understand, often emphasizing inscrutability.

• She is an enigma to her friends, who can never predict what she will do next.
• The cause of the strange phenomenon remains an enigma.

When talking about a problem or situation that requires ingenuity and patience to solve, often used for light, recreational or intellectual challenges.

• He enjoyed solving the crossword puzzle in the newspaper.
• The mystery novel was a real puzzle, with twists and turns at every chapter.

When describing a confusing or difficult problem or question that requires a lot of thought to solve. Often highlights complexity or perplexity.

• The engineer faced a conundrum when the new software crashed unexpectedly.
• Deciding between job offers put her in a real conundrum.

A mystery is generally used to describe any story or situation that involves something unknown or unexplained. It applies broadly to both fiction and real-life scenarios. The term can be used in various genres and doesn't necessarily have to involve crime.

• The disappearance of the ancient city remains a mystery.
• She loves reading mystery novels after a long day.

A detective story specifically focuses on a detective character working to solve a case or unravel a mystery. This term is usually reserved for fiction, and typically involves a structured investigation process.

• Sherlock Holmes is a classic detective story that has captured audiences for generations.
• I'm writing a detective story featuring a private investigator who solves crimes in New York City.

Whodunit is a colloquial term primarily used to describe a mystery story where the main focus is on solving a crime by finding out who committed it. It often involves suspense and multiple suspects.

• The new movie is a gripping whodunit with numerous twists and turns.
• If you enjoy trying to figure out the culprit, you'll love this classic whodunit.

Generally used to describe something that is difficult to understand or explain, often implying intrigue or secrecy.

• The cause of the disease remains a mystery.

Commonly used for situations or problems that require thought and cleverness to solve, often associated with games or challenges.

• The crossword puzzle was particularly challenging today.

Typically used for something or someone that is puzzling or hard to understand, often with a sense of profound complexity.

• Her sudden disappearance was an enigma to everyone.

Usually used for a question or statement intentionally phrased to require ingenuity in ascertaining its answer or meaning, often for fun or challenge.

• Can you solve this riddle? What has keys but can't open locks?