cryptic

[krip-tik]

adjective

1. mysterious in meaning; puzzling; ambiguous.

   a cryptic message.

   Synonyms: enigmatic

2. abrupt; terse; short.

   a cryptic note.

3. secret; occult.

   a cryptic writing.

4. involving or using cipher, code, etc.

5. Zoology.,  fitted for concealing; serving to camouflage.

noun

1. a cryptogram, especially one designed as a puzzle.

cryptic

/ ˈkrɪptɪk /

adjective

1. hidden; secret; occult

2. (esp of comments, sayings, etc) obscure in meaning

3. (of the coloration of animals) tending to conceal by disguising or camouflaging the shape

Other Word Forms

• cryptically adverb
• noncryptic adjective
• noncryptical adjective
• noncryptically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of cryptic¹

1595–1605; < Late Latin crypticus < Greek kryptikós hidden. See crypt, -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of cryptic¹

C17: from Late Latin crypticus, from Greek kruptikos, from kruptos concealed; see _crypt

Synonym Study

See ambiguous.

Example Sentences

About 1 in every 500 pregnant women discovers she’s expecting more than 20 weeks along — a phenomenon known as “cryptic pregnancy.”

From Los Angeles Times

He was hooked in the spring of 1997, after reading of the Mojave phone in the cryptic letter to the magazine “Wig Out.”

From Los Angeles Times

His recent photos take a more cryptic approach, with several featuring random items scattered in different parts of a room.

From Los Angeles Times

This appeared to be a cryptic reference from Isak to the prospect of talks being held over a new contract last summer.

From BBC

He’s so smart about noting the details — tiny glances, awkward smiles — that it’s head-scrambling when he obscures a major plot point under hasty editing and cryptic dialogue.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ambiguous 
• arcane 
• enigmatic 
• equivocal 
• incomprehensible 
• mysterious 
• strange 
• vague 
• veiled