mystical

[mis-ti-kuhl]

adjective

1. mystic; of or relating to supernatural agencies, affairs, occurrences, etc..

   a strange, mystical experience.

2. of or relating to mystics or mysticism.

   mystical writings.

3. spiritually symbolic.

   a mystical vision of the hereafter.

4. obscure in meaning; mysterious.

   mystical circumstances.

mystical

/ ˈmɪstɪkəl /

adjective

1. relating to or characteristic of mysticism

2. Christianity having a divine or sacred significance that surpasses natural human apprehension

3. having occult or metaphysical significance, nature, or force

4. a less common word for mysterious

Other Word Forms

• mysticalness noun
• mystically adverb
• mysticality noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of mystical¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English; mystic, -al ¹

Synonym Study

See mysterious.

Example Sentences

But when the dance later reached the hands of a certain German father of 20 children, Bach made sarabandes of such mystical serenity that eros equaled the sacred miracle of new life.

From Los Angeles Times

Several of the awful things that happen to her aren’t mystical at all.

From Los Angeles Times

Unfortunately, the technology was in no way capable of capturing the mystical splendor of Wilson’s light and imagery.

From Los Angeles Times

She embodies this mystical character, the cancionera, and it’s a very mature album.

From Los Angeles Times

I was enchanted by the ancient trees and the mystical forest.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• esoteric 
• magical