# mystery

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈmɪs.t(ə.)ɹi/ · frequency rank #3,317

## Definitions
1. Something secret or unexplainable; an unknown.
2. Someone or something with an obscure or puzzling nature.
3. An account, story, book, film, or play, often with the theme of crime or murder, with a surprise ending that explains all the strange events that have occurred.
4. A mystery play.
5. A secret or mystical meaning.
6. A religious truth not understandable by the application of human reason alone (without divine aid).
7. A sacrament.
8. A secret religious celebration, admission to which was usually through initiation.
9. A particular event or series of events in the life of Christ.
10. A craft, art or trade; specifically a guild of craftsmen.

## Etymology
From Middle English mysterie, from Anglo-Norman misterie (Old French mistere), from Latin mysterium, from Ancient Greek μυστήριον (mustḗrion, “a mystery, a secret, a secret rite”), from μύστης (mústēs, “initiated one”), from μυέω (muéō, “to initiate”), from μύω (múō, “to shut”). Displaced native Old English ġerȳne.

## Easily confused with
- **master** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/master-vs-mystery)
- **misery** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/misery-vs-mystery)
- **mister** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mister-vs-mystery)
- **muster** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/muster-vs-mystery)
- **masters** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/masters-vs-mystery)
- **mastery** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mastery-vs-mystery)

## Common misspellings (12)
`mmystery`, `msytery`, `mysetry`, `mysstery`, `mysterry`, `mysteryy`, `mysteyr`, `mystrey`, `mysttery`, `mytsery`, `myystery`, `ymstery`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/mystery