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cryptic

adjective
cryp·​tic | \ ˈkrip-tik How to pronounce cryptic (audio) \

Definition of cryptic

1 : secret, occult
2a : having or seeming to have a hidden or ambiguous meaning : mysterious cryptic messages cryptic prophecies
b : marked by an often perplexing brevity cryptic marginal notes
3 : serving to conceal cryptic coloration in animals also : exhibiting cryptic coloration cryptic animals
4 : not recognized a cryptic infection
5 : employing cipher or code
Other Words from cryptic Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym The Mysterious Origins of Cryptic More Example Sentences Learn More about cryptic

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Other Words from cryptic

cryptically \ ˈkrip-​ti-​k(É™-​)lÄ“ How to pronounce cryptically (audio) \ adverb

Choose the Right Synonym for cryptic

obscure, dark, vague, enigmatic, cryptic, ambiguous, equivocal mean not clearly understandable. obscure implies a hiding or veiling of meaning through some inadequacy of expression or withholding of full knowledge. obscure poems dark implies an imperfect or clouded revelation often with ominous or sinister suggestion. muttered dark hints of revenge vague implies a lack of clear formulation due to inadequate conception or consideration. a vague sense of obligation enigmatic stresses a puzzling, mystifying quality. enigmatic occult writings cryptic implies a purposely concealed meaning. cryptic hints of hidden treasure ambiguous applies to language capable of more than one interpretation. an ambiguous directive equivocal applies to language left open to differing interpretations with the intention of deceiving or evading. moral precepts with equivocal phrasing

The Mysterious Origins of Cryptic

The history of "cryptic" starts with "kryptein," a Greek word meaning "to hide." Can you uncover other "kryptein" relatives in English? Not surprisingly, crypt, meaning "underground chamber," is one. The element "krypton" would be another correct guess, and so would "apocrypha," which can mean "writings of dubious authenticity." "Kryptein" also gave us several words having to do with secret codes, such as "cryptogram" ("a communication in cipher or code") and "cryptography" ("the coding and decoding of secret messages"). And, in fact, something "cryptic" can sometimes seem as if written in code.

Examples of cryptic in a Sentence

… his hectic characters either communicate in choppy or cryptic exchanges or rattle on in breathless recitations full of contradictions and asides. — Donna Seaman, Booklist, 15 Mar. 1994 Since Hughes's poems contained neither Eliot's footnotes nor Ezra Pound's cryptic orientalism, many critics and editors assumed the poet unintelligent and his work raw or, at best, slight. — Rita Dove, New York Times Book Review, 9 Oct. 1988 The remark seemed cryptic to Philip, but when he heard her say it two or three times to different persons, and found that it aroused hearty agreement, he came to the conclusion that it was only obscure to his own intelligence. — W. Somerset Maugham, Of Human Bondage, 1915 His instructions were cryptic. He said only to wait until we felt certain the answer was clear. puzzled by the cryptic e-mail message left on his computer
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Recent Examples on the Web

 And the supporting cast playing the friendly Swedes – especially the cryptic Maja (Isabelle Grill), who takes an interest in Christian – are quite good at toeing the fine line between sweet and sinister. — Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, "Review: 'Hereditary' director's 'Midsommar' is a nightmarish take on a toxic relationship," 1 July 2019 The polyphonic narrative that ensues has the pacing and urgency of a spy thriller but the middling stakes of a book about a group of privileged kids sending each other cryptic texts. — Rebekah Frumkin, Washington Post, "Can a thriller also be a feminist social critique? Lisa Lutz gives it a try in ‘The Swallows’," 6 Sep. 2019 The cryptic video led fans to believe new music is on the way—and that Shawn Mendes is the inspiration behind her new album. — Natasha Reda, Glamour, "Camila Cabello Just Teased New Music Fans Think Is Inspired by Shawn Mendes," 1 Sep. 2019 Earle spent two weeks in a room full of boxes laden with discs sporting cryptic labels. — Maya Wei-haas, National Geographic, "Earth's inner core is doing something weird," 19 Aug. 2019 Prior to Brandon's comments, Brody posted a cryptic quote under a picture of himself on IG. — Jasmine Gomez, Seventeen, ""The Hills" Star Brandon Lee Just Called Out Miley Cyrus and Kaitlynn Carter for "Fake" PDA," 13 Aug. 2019 Since June, Eau Claire's Bon Iver has been teasing a new album with an ambiguous website, a cryptic trailer and song releases here and there. — Piet Levy, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Here's a track-by-track breakdown of Bon Iver's excellent new album 'i,i'," 9 Aug. 2019 These cryptic lines don’t make obvious sense, instead referring to things the movie never mentions before or after. — Sean Hollister, The Verge, "Blade Runner star Rutger Hauer dies at 75, but his monologue will live forever," 24 July 2019 For now, Gabaldon has offered an intriguing—if cryptic—explanation of Jamie's ghost and his age. — Caroline Hallemann, Town & Country, "Is the Ghost of Jamie Fraser Watching Claire in Outlander's First Episode?," 14 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cryptic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of cryptic

1620, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

History and Etymology for cryptic

borrowed from Late Latin crypticus "hidden," borrowed from Late Greek kryptikós "obscuring" (Greek kryptikôs "secretly"), from kryptós "hidden, secret" + -ikos -ic entry 1 — more at crypt

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More Definitions for cryptic

cryptic

adjective
How to pronounce cryptic (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of cryptic

: difficult to understand : having or seeming to have a hidden meaning

See the full definition for cryptic in the English Language Learners Dictionary

cryptic

adjective
cryp·​tic | \ ˈkrip-tik How to pronounce cryptic (audio) \

Kids Definition of cryptic

: difficult to understand or make sense of He left a cryptic message.

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