mystery

mys|ter|y1 [ `mıst(ə)ri ] noun **

▸ 1 something you cannot explain

▸ 2 being hard to explain

▸ 3 type of story/movie etc.

▸ 4 secrets about subject

▸ 5 in religion

1. ) count something that you are not able to understand, explain, or get information about:

I just can't think who she could have been it's a mystery.

The exact origin of the universe remains a mystery.

solve/unravel a mystery (=explain it): The police are trying to unravel the mystery of his disappearance.

be a mystery to someone: Why she left is still a mystery to him.

2. ) uncount a quality that makes someone or something difficult to explain, understand, or get information about, especially when it also makes them seem interesting or exciting:

air/aura of mystery: a woman with an air of mystery about her

shrouded/cloaked in mystery: His past is shrouded in mystery.

a ) count someone or something that is interesting or exciting because they are difficult to explain, understand, or get information about:

David's always been a something of a mystery.

3. ) count a story, movie, or play in which events take place that are not explained until the end, especially a crime such as murder:

an Ellery Queen mystery

4. ) mysteries plural mystery of OFTEN HUMOROUS information about a subject or activity that only some people are allowed to know:

You'll learn all about the mysteries of the darkroom and printing processes.

5. ) count something relating to religion or God that you cannot explain using reason or science but that you believe is true:

the mystery of salvation

mys|ter|y2 [ `mıst(ə)ri ] adjective only before noun

a mystery person or thing is someone or something that you do not know the name of or do not know anything about:

a mystery caller