English Dictionary
Definition of “cryptic”
cryptic (ˈkrɪptɪk
) or cryptical
Definitions
adjective
- hidden; secret; occult
- (esp of comments, sayings, etc) obscure in meaning
- (of the coloration of animals) tending to conceal by disguising or camouflaging the shape
Alternative Forms
ˈcryptically adverb Word Origin
C17: from Late Latin crypticus, from Greek kruptikos, from kruptos concealed; see crypt
Synonyms
View thesaurus entry
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mysterious,
dark,
coded,
puzzling,
obscure,
vague,
veiled,
ambiguous,
enigmatic,
perplexing,
arcane,
equivocal,
abstruse,
Delphic,
oracular,
Usage examples
Even within this secret volume hidden in the concealed chamber, he made his entries in his own cryptic words.
Robin Hobb, THE GOLDEN FOOL: Book Two of the Tawny Man (2002)Tired of those soulless, cryptic biographies that make up newspaper matrimonials?
India Today (1996)He left a cryptic message for her on his Web page saying, "Males are despicable creatures.
Edmonton Sun (2003)However, that leaves time aplenty to compose my customary cryptic letter.
Times, Sunday Times (2004)They took advice from the Security Service MI5 and, in 1975, contacted a private company known by the cryptic initials `KMS".
Geraghty, Tony, The Bullet Catchers (1989)
