mysterious
adjective
mys·te·ri·ous
mi-ˈstir-ē-əs 
1
a
: of, relating to, or constituting mystery
the mysterious ways of God
b
: exciting wonder, curiosity, or surprise while baffling efforts to comprehend or identify : mystifying
heard a mysterious noise
a mysterious stranger
a mysterious plane crash
a mysterious illness
2
: stirred by or attracted to the inexplicable
… to help a mysterious wizard … ward off the end of the world with blood sacrifices.—
Robert Houston
Robert Houston
mysteriousness
noun
Examples of mysterious in a Sentence
the mysterious ways of nature
We heard a mysterious noise outside our tent.
He died under mysterious circumstances.
A mysterious illness has been spreading through the city.
There's something mysterious about that old woman.
Her behavior was very mysterious.
Recent Examples on the Web
The story’s scope is considerably wider, and along with it comes the looming dread that the truth behind the mysterious shooting that opened the film in media res might be lurking around any corner.
—Abby Monteil, Them., 28 Oct. 2025
Known for books like her popular Atlas Six series, along with Reese’s Book Club Summer YA Pick Twelfth Knight (written as Alexene Farol Follmouth), the author’s latest book follows a college student and professor drawn into a mysterious (and bloodthirsty) sorority.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
Their investigation plunges them into the shadowy corners of New York and beyond — where the trio uncovers a dangerous web of secrets connecting powerful billionaires, old-school mobsters and the mysterious residents of the Arconia.
—Selome Hailu, Variety, 28 Oct. 2025
Similar mysterious lights can be seen in other spots throughout the world, including the Brown Mountain Lights in nearby Pisgah National Forest.
—Graham Averill, Outside, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mysterious
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Abby Monteil, Them., 28 Oct. 2025
Known for books like her popular Atlas Six series, along with Reese’s Book Club Summer YA Pick Twelfth Knight (written as Alexene Farol Follmouth), the author’s latest book follows a college student and professor drawn into a mysterious (and bloodthirsty) sorority.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
Their investigation plunges them into the shadowy corners of New York and beyond — where the trio uncovers a dangerous web of secrets connecting powerful billionaires, old-school mobsters and the mysterious residents of the Arconia.
—Selome Hailu, Variety, 28 Oct. 2025
Similar mysterious lights can be seen in other spots throughout the world, including the Brown Mountain Lights in nearby Pisgah National Forest.
—Graham Averill, Outside, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mysterious
Cite this Entry
“Mysterious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mysterious. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
mysterious
adjective
mys·te·ri·ous
mis-ˈtir-ē-əs
: containing, suggesting, or presenting a mystery
mysterious noises
also
: difficult or impossible to understand
the mysterious ways of nature
mysteriously
adverb
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