mystery
gb/mˈɪstɚi/ us/mˈɪstɚi/
A2
English
~ 2900
rejtély, krimi, rejtélytörténet, misztérium
NOUN
B1
1
rejtély
B1
Usage pattern:
[something] is a mystery
The cause of the fire remains a mystery.
A tűz oka továbbra is rejtély.
It's a mystery how she managed to escape.
Rejtély, hogyan sikerült megszöknie.
For years, the disappearance of the ship was a mystery.
Why he left so suddenly is still a mystery.
Learner examples
It is a mystery where my keys are.
Rejtély, hol vannak a kulcsaim.
Her smile is a mystery to me.
A mosolya számomra rejtély.
The reason for the noise is a mystery.
This old story is still a mystery.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'mystery' with 'history'. Remember: 'mystery' is about something unknown, not past events.
Meaning
Something hard to understand
Collocations
remain a mystery
|solve a mystery
|shrouded in mystery
|unravel a mystery
Synonyms
puzzle (Often used for something that needs solving; can be less serious than 'mystery'.)
|
enigma (More formal or literary; implies deep or unusual obscurity.)
Antonyms
certainty (Represents something known for sure, the opposite of something mysterious.)
Themes
thinking
|knowledge
|curiosity
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Something you cannot understand or explain easily.
Something that is difficult or impossible to understand, explain, or figure out.
NOUN
A2
2
krimi
B1
Usage pattern:
read/watch [a] mystery
She enjoys reading mysteries in her free time.
Szabadidejében szívesen olvas krimiket.
We watched a gripping murder mystery last night.
Tegnap este egy lebilincselő gyilkossági krimit néztünk meg.
The library has a large selection of mysteries.
Learner examples
I read a mystery before bed.
Lefekvés előtt egy krimit olvastam.
We saw a mystery at the cinema.
Egy krimit láttunk a moziban.
He likes to watch mysteries on TV.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'mystery' as a genre with 'thriller'; thrillers focus on suspense and excitement, while mysteries focus on solving the unknown.
Meaning
Crime or detective story genre
Collocations
mystery novel
|mystery movie
|murder mystery
Synonyms
whodunit (Informal term for a crime or detective story focusing on finding the culprit.)
Themes
entertainment
|literature
|media
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A book, movie, or TV show about solving a crime or strange event.
A type of story, film, or show about solving a crime or finding the answer to an unexplained event.
NOUN
C1
LITERARY
3
misztérium
C1
The Trinity is considered a holy mystery in Christianity.
A Szentháromságot a kereszténységben szent misztériumnak tartják.
For believers, the resurrection remains a divine mystery.
A hívők számára a feltámadás továbbra is isteni misztérium.
They spoke of the mysteries of faith.
Learner examples
The story of creation is a mystery of faith.
A teremtés története a hit misztériuma.
He believes in the holy mystery of God.
Hisz Isten szent misztériumában.
Some things in religion are mysteries.
Meaning
Religious truth beyond reason
Collocations
holy mystery
|divine mystery
Synonyms
sacrament (In some traditions, a sacred act seen as a channel of divine grace; not exactly the same as 'mystery' but related.)
Themes
religion
Definition
A religious truth that people believe but cannot fully understand.
A religious belief or truth that is considered beyond human understanding and revealed only by divine means.
Grammar
Dictionary form
mystery
IPA
GB/mˈɪstɚi/
US/mˈɪstɚi/
Syllables & stress
mys - tery (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (mys)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: mystery
- Plural: mysteries, mystery
Word family
Forms
mysteries
noun
Core family
mysterious
adjective B1
mysteriously
adverb
Advanced or less common
mysticism
noun
mystification
noun
Expressions
murder mystery
1/mˈɚdɚ mˈɪstɚi/
fixed phrase
Story about solving a murder case
A book, movie, or play about finding out who killed someone.
Examples
- We went to see a murder mystery at the theater.
- She loves murder mysteries and reads one every week.
remain a mystery
1/ɹɪmˈeɪn ə mˈɪstɚi/
fixed phrase
Continue to be unknown
To still not be known or understood.
Examples
- The reason for the accident remains a mystery.
- What happened to him remains a mystery.
shrouded in mystery
1/ʃɹˈaʊdɪd ˈɪn mˈɪstɚi/
idiom
Completely unknown or unexplained
Not known or explained at all.
Examples
- The origins of the ancient monument are shrouded in mystery.
- His sudden disappearance was shrouded in mystery.
solve a mystery
1/sˈɑlv ə mˈɪstɚi/
fixed phrase
Find explanation for something unknown
To find out the truth about something strange or unknown.
Examples
- The detective finally solved the mystery of the missing jewels.
- The detective worked hard to solve the mystery.
- Scientists are trying to solve the mystery of how the disease spreads.
- Scientists hope to solve the mystery of dark matter.