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mystery
This word evokes a sense of curiosity and the unknown, often carrying a thrill of discovery. It differs from "secret" in that a secret is intentionally hidden by a person, whereas a mystery is often an inherent puzzle that demands a solution.
In a literary sense, it describes a specific structural journey from confusion to clarity. The tension relies on the gap between what the reader knows and what the detective discovers, turning the narrative into a game of logic and deduction.
Countable when referring to a specific puzzle or a book (a mystery). Uncountable when referring to the general state of being enigmatic or unknown.
💬Casual Conversation
Where did you put my charger? It's a total mystery.
Idk. I might've messed it up while tidying.
Meanings
Something that is difficult or impossible to understand or explain.
The disappearance of the plane remains a complete mystery.
A novel, play, or movie in which a crime is solved through clues and investigation.
She enjoys reading a classic Agatha Christie mystery before bed.
Difficult or impossible to understand; enigmatic.
The mystery guest was revealed at the end of the gala.
Examples
The disappearance of the plane remains a complete mystery.
She enjoys reading a classic Agatha Christie mystery before bed.
The mystery guest was revealed at the end of the gala.