mystery (countable and uncountable, plural mysteries) The truth behind the events remains a mystery. The case was that of a murder. It had an element of mystery about it, however, which was puzzling the authorities.

Understanding the Context

A turban and loincloth soaked in blood had been found; also a staff. mystery, problem, enigma, riddle, puzzle mean something which baffles or perplexes. mystery applies to what cannot be fully understood by reason or less strictly to whatever resists or defies explanation. problem applies to a question or difficulty calling for a solution or causing concern.

Key Insights

MYSTERY definition: 1. something strange or not known that has not yet been explained or understood: 2. a book, film…. Learn more. Mystery novels are often called β€œwhodunnits” because they turn the reader into a detective trying to figure out the who, what, when, and how of a particular crime.

Final Thoughts

Definition of mystery noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more. mystery - Traces back to Greek mustikos, "secret," and musterion, "secret rites"; the lesser-known meaning of mystery as "handicraft; art" is part of the phrase "mystery play." A mystery is a genre in literature, and other forms of art where the plot revolves around a puzzling event, situation, or crime that needs to be solved. MYSTERY definition: anything that is kept secret or remains unexplained or unknown. See examples of mystery used in a sentence. If you talk about the mystery of someone or something, you are talking about how difficult they are to understand or know about, especially when this gives them a rather strange or magical quality.