mystique
gb/mɪstˈik/ us/mɪstˈik/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
C1
abstract
1
an aura of mystery and charm
a feeling of mystery that makes something seem special
Usage pattern:
the mystique of [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse mystique (a quality or aura) with mystic (a religious/spiritual person) or mystical (an adjective).
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.)
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
Themes
people
|culture
|emotions
|media
|daily_life
Examples
- The actor rarely gives interviews, which adds to his mystique.
- There’s a mystique around that old house at the end of the road.
- Part of the city’s mystique comes from its hidden alleys and rooftop bars.
Learner examples
- She has a mystique that makes people curious.
- The museum has a mystique of history and secrets.
Noun
C1
abstract
2
romanticized belief in specialness
an idea that something is special because it seems mysterious
Usage pattern:
the mystique of [place/period/activity]
Common mistake:
Mystique is usually a general impression, not a specific secret or puzzle (that would be a mystery).
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.)
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
Themes
culture
|history
|beliefs
|society
Examples
- Books and films helped create the mystique of the cowboy lifestyle.
- The company’s success has given entrepreneurship a certain mystique.
- Once you see how the process works, the mystique disappears.
Learner examples
- Travel ads build the mystique of the island.
- After the tour, the job lost its mystique.
Noun
business
C1
abstract
3
carefully cultivated brand mystery
a planned ‘mysterious’ image to attract attention
Usage pattern:
create/cultivate a mystique (around [someone/something])
Common mistake:
In this sense, mystique is about image and perception, not supernatural mystery.
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.)
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
Themes
business
|marketing
|media
|fashion
Examples
- The company cultivates a mystique by revealing very little about new products before launch.
- Luxury brands often rely on mystique to justify high prices.
- By limiting access and invitations, they built a mystique around the event.
Learner examples
- The brand created a mystique to seem exclusive.
- He cultivates a mystique online by posting little.
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.
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.
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.
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.