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cryptic

cryp·tic
C c

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [krip-tik]
    • /ˈkrɪp tɪk/
    • /ˈkrɪp.tɪk/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [krip-tik]
    • /ˈkrɪp tɪk/

Definitions of cryptic word

  • adjective cryptic A cryptic remark or message contains a hidden meaning or is difficult to understand. 3
  • adjective cryptic hidden; secret; occult 3
  • adjective cryptic (esp of comments, sayings, etc) obscure in meaning 3
  • adjective cryptic (of the coloration of animals) tending to conceal by disguising or camouflaging the shape 3
  • adjective cryptic having a hidden or ambiguous meaning; mysterious; baffling 3
  • adjective cryptic obscure and curt in expression 3

Information block about the term

Origin of cryptic

First appearance:

before 1595
One of the 38% oldest English words
1595-1605; < Late Latin crypticus < Greek kryptikós hidden. See crypt, -ic

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Cryptic

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

cryptic popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 81% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

cryptic usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for cryptic

adj cryptic

  • ambiguous — If you describe something as ambiguous, you mean that it is unclear or confusing because it can be understood in more than one way.
  • veiled — having a veil: a veiled hat.
  • strange — unusual, extraordinary, or curious; odd; queer: a strange remark to make.
  • arcane — Something that is arcane is secret or mysterious.
  • mysterious — full of, characterized by, or involving mystery: a mysterious occurrence.

adjective cryptic

  • obscure — (of meaning) not clear or plain; ambiguous, vague, or uncertain: an obscure sentence in the contract.
  • secret — done, made, or conducted without the knowledge of others: secret negotiations.

Antonyms for cryptic

adj cryptic

  • known — past participle of know1 .
  • obvious — easily seen, recognized, or understood; open to view or knowledge; evident: an obvious advantage.
  • clear — Something that is clear is easy to understand, see, or hear.
  • plain — clear or distinct to the eye or ear: a plain trail to the river; to stand in plain view.
  • definite — If something such as a decision or an arrangement is definite, it is firm and clear, and unlikely to be changed.

Top questions with cryptic

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See also

Matching words

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