MYSTERIOUS

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does mysterious mean? 

• MYSTERIOUS (adjective)
  The adjective MYSTERIOUS has 2 senses:

1. of an obscure nature

2. having an import not apparent to the senses nor obvious to the intelligence; beyond ordinary understanding

  Familiarity information: MYSTERIOUS used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• MYSTERIOUS (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Of an obscure nature

Synonyms:

cryptic; cryptical; deep; inscrutable; mysterious; mystifying

Context example:

rituals totally mystifying to visitors from other lands

Similar:

incomprehensible; inexplicable (incapable of being explained or accounted for)

Derivation:

mystery (something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Having an import not apparent to the senses nor obvious to the intelligence; beyond ordinary understanding

Synonyms:

mysterious; mystic; mystical; occult; orphic; secret

Context example:

the secret learning of the ancients

Similar:

esoteric (confined to and understandable by only an enlightened inner circle)

Derivation:

mystery (something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained)

 Context examples 

I went on through the house from room to room, but they were all empty, and everything was so grim and mysterious.

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)

A mysterious voice from the end of the passage replied “Yes.”

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

What is interesting is this shows that the universe works in mysterious ways.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

Researchers say the atmosphere of this mysterious planet could contain nitrogen, water and even oxygen — molecules found in our atmosphere, too — but with much higher temperatures throughout.

(Lava or Not, Exoplanet 55 Cancri e Likely to have Atmosphere, NASA)

Then, between them, the she-wolf and One Eye devoured the game which the mysterious sapling had caught for them.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

I awoke, oppressed by a mysterious sensation. There seemed something missing in my environment.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

However, astronomers have discovered some mysterious outliers.

(Mystery orbits in outermost reaches of solar system not caused by ‘Planet Nine’, University of Cambridge)

For these reasons, the brain remains a “mysterious organ.”

(Neuromorphic Metallic Nanowire Network Shows Human Brain-Like Functions, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

They never got over it, and every letter they wrote him reflected their reverent awe of that first mysterious happening.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

As a rule, said Holmes, the more bizarre a thing is the less mysterious it proves to be.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)