cryptic

adjective

cryp·​tic ˈkrip-tik How to pronounce cryptic (audio)
1
2
a
: 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
cryptically adverb

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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 cryptocurrency is currency that exists digitally and that relies on computer encryption (secret code) to prevent counterfeiting and fraud.

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

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
Recent Examples on the Web In her Instagram Stories leading up to her cryptic lunchtime snap, Chelsea says her stop in Florida is a detour on her way to a friend’s wedding (destination unknown). Sam Reed, Glamour, 8 Mar. 2024 Even the slightest modulations to her cryptic deadpan can turn her lyrics inside out. Chris Richards, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024 Scientists at research’s bleeding edge are killing themselves around the globe, producing a trail of bodies and cryptic leads pursued by the largely mystique-free Clarence (Wong). Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Mar. 2024 With a cryptic pregnancy, this lack of pregnancy symptoms extends beyond the first six weeks. Maria Carter, Parents, 28 Feb. 2024 There lives Edward’s decrepit mother, Amelia (Anabela Moreira), and his lithe, long-haired twin brother, Manuel (also Cotta, sporting a cryptic smile). J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 28 Feb. 2024 On the subject of her own work, Jonas, like many artists, is somewhat cryptic, which is wholly appropriate for someone whose pieces require viewers to engage actively, giving the work meaning — or even completing it — themselves. Susan Dominus Emiliano Granado, New York Times, 1 Mar. 2024 While attempting to return to their present, a cryptic force emerges and traps them on a strange plot of land, giving them a deathly ultimatum in order to escape. Caroline Brew, Variety, 28 Feb. 2024 This cryptic message is not the only mystery about the firm. Javier Paz, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cryptic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1620, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Time Traveler
The first known use of cryptic was in 1620

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Dictionary Entries Near cryptic

Cite this Entry

“Cryptic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cryptic. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

cryptic

adjective
cryp·​tic ˈkrip-tik How to pronounce cryptic (audio)
1
: meant to be puzzling or mysterious
a cryptic remark
2
: serving to conceal
cryptic coloring of an animal
cryptically adverb

Medical Definition

cryptic

adjective
cryp·​tic ˈkrip-tik How to pronounce cryptic (audio)
1
: serving to conceal
cryptic coloration in animals
2
: not recognized
a cryptic infection
cryptic cases of lead poisoning
cryptically adverb

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