mystique
gb/mɪstˈik/ us/mɪstˈik/
C1
English
misztikum, titokzatosság, nimbusz
NOUN
C1
1
misztikum
C1
Usage pattern:
the mystique of [someone/something]
The actor rarely gives interviews, which adds to his mystique.
A színész ritkán ad interjút, ami csak fokozza a körülötte lévő misztikumot.
There’s a mystique around that old house at the end of the road.
Különös misztikum lengi körül az út végén álló öreg házat.
Part of the city’s mystique comes from its hidden alleys and rooftop bars.
Learner examples
She has a mystique that makes people curious.
Van benne valami misztikum, amitől az emberek kíváncsiak lesznek.
The museum has a mystique of history and secrets.
A múzeumot a történelem és a titkok különös misztikuma lengi körül.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse mystique (a quality or aura) with mystic (a religious/spiritual person) or mystical (an adjective).
Meaning
an aura of mystery and charm
Collocations
an air of mystique
|a sense of mystique
|the mystique of Hollywood
|the mystique of the artist
|the mystique surrounding her
|a mystique of secrecy
|maintain a mystique
|add to the mystique
|part of the mystique
|shrouded in mystique
Synonyms
aura (General atmosphere or feeling, not necessarily mysterious.)
|
allure (Emphasizes attractiveness rather than mystery.)
|
glamour (Emphasizes exciting beauty and charm, less about secrecy.)
Antonyms
ordinariness (The quality of being normal and not special or mysterious.)
|
transparency (Openness that removes secrecy and mystery.)
Themes
people
|culture
|emotions
|media
|daily_life
Definition
a feeling of mystery that makes something seem special
A special quality that makes someone or something seem mysterious, attractive, or glamorous.
NOUN
C1
2
nimbusz
C1
Usage pattern:
the mystique of [place/period/activity]
Books and films helped create the mystique of the cowboy lifestyle.
A könyvek és a filmek hozzájárultak a cowboyéletmód nimbuszának kialakulásához.
The company’s success has given entrepreneurship a certain mystique.
A cég sikere bizonyos nimbuszt adott a vállalkozói létnek.
Once you see how the process works, the mystique disappears.
Learner examples
Travel ads build the mystique of the island.
Az utazási hirdetések építik a sziget nimbuszát.
After the tour, the job lost its mystique.
A körbevezetés után odalett a munka nimbusza.
Common mistake:
Mystique is usually a general impression, not a specific secret or puzzle (that would be a mystery).
Meaning
romanticized belief in specialness
Collocations
the mystique of the West
|the mystique of royalty
|the mystique of the frontier
|the mystique of the past
|the mystique of success
|the mystique of the stage
|the mystique surrounding the job
|the mystique of science
|the mystique of power
|fed the mystique
Synonyms
myth (A traditional or false story/idea; can be more clearly untrue than mystique.)
|
romance (A sentimental idealization, not necessarily involving mystery.)
Antonyms
reality (Focus on facts rather than an idealized impression.)
|
demystification (The process of removing mystery or special status.)
Themes
culture
|history
|beliefs
|society
Definition
an idea that something is special because it seems mysterious
A widely held, often exaggerated impression that something is uniquely powerful, special, or hard to understand.
NOUN
C1
BUSINESS
3
misztikum
C1
Usage pattern:
create/cultivate a mystique (around [someone/something])
The company cultivates a mystique by revealing very little about new products before launch.
A cég úgy építi a misztikumát, hogy a bevezetés előtt alig árul el valamit az új termékekről.
Luxury brands often rely on mystique to justify high prices.
A luxusmárkák gyakran a misztikumra építenek, hogy igazolják a magas áraikat.
By limiting access and invitations, they built a mystique around the event.
Learner examples
The brand created a mystique to seem exclusive.
A márka misztikumot teremtett maga körül, hogy exkluzívnak tűnjön.
He cultivates a mystique online by posting little.
Az interneten azzal épít maga köré misztikumot, hogy alig posztol.
Common mistake:
In this sense, mystique is about image and perception, not supernatural mystery.
Meaning
carefully cultivated brand mystery
Collocations
cultivate a mystique
|create a mystique
|build a mystique
|a brand mystique
|product mystique
|designer mystique
|exclusive mystique
|maintain the mystique
|trade on mystique
|marketing mystique
Synonyms
cachet (Prestige and high status, often linked to exclusivity more than mystery.)
|
image (General public impression; less specifically about mystery.)
Antonyms
mass-market image (An image of being widely available rather than exclusive or mysterious.)
|
plainness (A lack of special styling or aura.)
Themes
business
|marketing
|media
|fashion
Definition
a planned ‘mysterious’ image to attract attention
A deliberately created image of mystery or exclusivity used to make a person, product, or brand seem more desirable.
Grammar
Dictionary form
mystique
IPA
GB/mɪstˈik/
US/mɪstˈik/
Syllables & stress
mys - tique (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (tique)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: mystique
- Plural: mystique
Word family
Core family
Negative and opposite forms
demystify
verb C1
demystification
noun C1
Advanced or less common
mystification
noun
mysteriousness
noun
Expressions
an air of mystique
1/ən ˈɛɹ əv mɪstˈik/
fixed phrase
noticeable mysterious vibe
a feeling that someone seems mysterious
Examples
- He speaks quietly and keeps an air of mystique.
- The dim lighting gave the restaurant an air of mystique.
- Her silence added an air of mystique to the story.
Learner examples
- He has an air of mystique.
- The place has an air of mystique.
lose its mystique
1/lˈuz ˈɪts mɪstˈik/
fixed phrase
stop seeming special or mysterious
to stop feeling special or mysterious
Examples
- Once the recipe went online, the dish lost its mystique.
- After a few weeks at the new job, it started to lose its mystique.
- When everyone can do it, the hobby loses its mystique.
Learner examples
- The city lost its mystique for me.
- The job lost its mystique.
maintain a mystique
1/meɪntˈeɪn ə mɪstˈik/
fixed phrase
keep a mysterious image
to keep yourself a little mysterious
Examples
- She maintains a mystique by staying off social media.
- The band tried to maintain a mystique between album releases.
- They maintained a mystique around the project until launch day.
Learner examples
- He maintains a mystique.
- The brand maintains a mystique.
the mystique of [something]
1/ðə mɪstˈik əv sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
mysterious special appeal of something
the mystery and charm that makes something seem special
Examples
- Tourists come for the mystique of ancient Egypt.
- The mystique of the courtroom fascinates many law students.
- She wrote about the mystique of living off-grid.
Learner examples
- I like the mystique of old cities.
- The book explains the mystique of jazz.