Mystify: meaning, definitions and examples

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mystify

 

[ ˈmɪstɪˌfaɪ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

confuse

To mystify means to confuse or bewilder someone. It involves creating a sense of mystery or puzzlement. It can also refer to making something unclear or difficult to understand.

Synonyms

baffle, bewilder, confuse

Examples of usage

  • She was mystified by his sudden disappearance.
  • The magician's tricks never failed to mystify the audience.
  • The complicated instructions only served to mystify the students.
Context #2 | Verb

surprise

To mystify can also mean to surprise or astonish someone, often in a mysterious or magical way. It involves leaving someone in a state of wonder or awe.

Synonyms

amaze, astonish, surprise

Examples of usage

  • The unexpected gift mystified her.
  • The illusionist's performance was designed to mystify the spectators.

Translations

Translations of the word "mystify" in other languages:

🇵🇹 misterioso

🇮🇳 रहस्यमय बनाना

🇩🇪 verrätseln

🇮🇩 membingungkan

🇺🇦 загадковий

🇵🇱 mystifikować

🇯🇵 神秘的にする

🇫🇷 mystifier

🇪🇸 misterioso

🇹🇷 gizemli kılmak

🇰🇷 신비롭게 만들다

🇸🇦 جعله غامضًا

🇨🇿 mystifikovat

🇸🇰 mystifikovať

🇨🇳 使神秘化

🇸🇮 mistificirati

🇮🇸 gera dularfullur

🇰🇿 жұмбақ ету

🇬🇪 საიდუმლო გახადა

🇦🇿 mistikləşdirmək

🇲🇽 misterioso

Etymology

The word 'mystify' comes from the combination of 'mystery' and the suffix '-ify', which means 'to make'. It first appeared in the early 19th century, derived from the French word 'mystifier'. The concept of mystifying someone has been present in various cultures throughout history, often associated with magic, illusions, and enigmatic experiences.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #33,484 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.