Transcription
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
-
- [mis-tuh-fahy]
- /ˈmɪs təˌfaɪ/
- /ˈmɪs.tɪ.faɪ/
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [mis-tuh-fahy]
- /ˈmɪs təˌfaɪ/
Definitions of mystify word
- verb with object mystify to perplex (a person) by playing upon the person's credulity; bewilder purposely. 1
- verb with object mystify to involve in mystery or obscurity. 1
- noun mystify Utterly bewilder or perplex (someone). 1
- transitive verb mystify puzzle, perplex 1
- verb mystify If you are mystified by something, you find it impossible to explain or understand. 0
- verb mystify to confuse, bewilder, or puzzle 0
Information block about the term
Origin of mystify
First appearance:
before 1805 One of the 41% newest English words
1805-15; < French mystifier, equivalent to mysti- (irregular combining form of mystique mystic or mystère mystery1) + -fier -fy
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Mystify
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
mystify popularity
A pretty common term. Usually people know it’s meaning, but prefer to use a more spread out synonym. About 68% of English native speakers know the meaning and use word.
This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.
mystify usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for mystify
verb mystify
- confound — If someone or something confounds you, they make you feel surprised or confused, often by showing you that your opinions or expectations of them were wrong.
- stump — the lower end of a tree or plant left after the main part falls or is cut off; a standing tree trunk from which the upper part and branches have been removed.
- perplex — to cause to be puzzled or bewildered over what is not understood or certain; confuse mentally: Her strange response perplexed me.
- puzzle — a toy, problem, or other contrivance designed to amuse by presenting difficulties to be solved by ingenuity or patient effort.
- baffle — If something baffles you, you cannot understand it or explain it.
Antonyms for mystify
verb mystify
- clarify — To clarify something means to make it easier to understand, usually by explaining it in more detail.
- clear up — When you clear up or clear a place up, you tidy things and put them away.
- help — to give or provide what is necessary to accomplish a task or satisfy a need; contribute strength or means to; render assistance to; cooperate effectively with; aid; assist: He planned to help me with my work. Let me help you with those packages.
- lose — to come to be without (something in one's possession or care), through accident, theft, etc., so that there is little or no prospect of recovery: I'm sure I've merely misplaced my hat, not lost it.
- enlighten — Give (someone) greater knowledge and understanding about a subject or situation.
Top questions with mystify
- what does mystify mean?
- what is the meaning of mystify?
See also
Matching words
- Words starting with m
- Words starting with my
- Words starting with mys
- Words starting with myst
- Words starting with mysti
- Words starting with mystif
- Words starting with mystify