Cryptic Definition in a Sentence
cryp·tic | \ ˈkrip-tik 
\
Definition of cryptic
2 a : having or seeming to have a hidden or ambiguous meaning : mysterious cryptic messages cryptic prophecies b : marked by an often perplexing brevity cryptic marginal notes
3 : serving to conceal cryptic coloration in animals also : exhibiting cryptic coloration cryptic animals
4 : not recognized a cryptic infection
5 : employing cipher or code
Other Words from cryptic
cryptically \ ˈkrip-ti-k(ə-)lē \ adverb
Choose the Right Synonym for cryptic
obscure, dark, vague, enigmatic, cryptic, ambiguous, equivocal mean not clearly understandable. obscure implies a hiding or veiling of meaning through some inadequacy of expression or withholding of full knowledge. obscure poems dark implies an imperfect or clouded revelation often with ominous or sinister suggestion. muttered dark hints of revenge vague implies a lack of clear formulation due to inadequate conception or consideration. a vague sense of obligation enigmatic stresses a puzzling, mystifying quality. enigmatic occult writings cryptic implies a purposely concealed meaning. cryptic hints of hidden treasure ambiguous applies to language capable of more than one interpretation. an ambiguous directive equivocal applies to language left open to differing interpretations with the intention of deceiving or evading. moral precepts with equivocal phrasing
The Mysterious Origins of Cryptic
The history of "cryptic" starts with "kryptein," a Greek word meaning "to hide." Can you uncover other "kryptein" relatives in English? Not surprisingly, crypt, meaning "underground chamber," is one. The element "krypton" would be another correct guess, and so would "apocrypha," which can mean "writings of dubious authenticity." "Kryptein" also gave us several words having to do with secret codes, such as "cryptogram" ("a communication in cipher or code") and "cryptography" ("the coding and decoding of secret messages"). And, in fact, something "cryptic" can sometimes seem as if written in code.
Examples of cryptic in a Sentence
… his hectic characters either communicate in choppy or cryptic exchanges or rattle on in breathless recitations full of contradictions and asides. — Donna Seaman, Booklist , 15 Mar. 1994 Since Hughes's poems contained neither Eliot's footnotes nor Ezra Pound's cryptic orientalism, many critics and editors assumed the poet unintelligent and his work raw or, at best, slight. — Rita Dove, New York Times Book Review , 9 Oct. 1988 The remark seemed cryptic to Philip, but when he heard her say it two or three times to different persons, and found that it aroused hearty agreement, he came to the conclusion that it was only obscure to his own intelligence. — W. Somerset Maugham, Of Human Bondage , 1915
His instructions were cryptic. He said only to wait until we felt certain the answer was clear. puzzled by the cryptic e-mail message left on his computer
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Recent Examples on the Web Within China, Peng's return has been cryptic, with all mention of her allegations against Zhang remaining under official blackout. — Washington Post, 22 Nov. 2021 When discussing a possible return to compete with Dart, Williams was cryptic about his starting quarterback's status the rest of the season. — Los Angeles Times, 16 Nov. 2021 Kate Cronin, Moderna's chief brand officer, was a bit less cryptic. — Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 2 Nov. 2021 Asked about the player's status, Hill was a bit cryptic. — Michelle Gardner, The Arizona Republic, 18 Aug. 2021 In an Instagram emoticon response to Coachella's more cryptic post, the Swedish House Mafia account signaled that, yes, it's their three silhouettes seen walking into the sunset in a photo the festival posted. — Chris Willman, Variety, 20 Oct. 2021 The Milton Inn posted a cryptic social media post last week. — Christina Tkacik, baltimoresun.com, 8 Oct. 2021 At just six years old, Lev Glazman didn't immediately understand the cryptic message his mother had just received from a friend at the door of their apartment in '60s-era Soviet Leningrad. — Celia Ellenberg, Vogue, 28 Oct. 2021 The 19-year-old college student and math whiz snapped a photo of the mileage reading and posted it, along with a cryptic message, on Snapchat. — Johnny Dodd, PEOPLE.com, 15 Oct. 2021
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cryptic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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First Known Use of cryptic
1620, in the meaning defined at sense 2a
History and Etymology for cryptic
borrowed from Late Latin crypticus "hidden," borrowed from Late Greek kryptikós "obscuring" (Greek kryptikôs "secretly"), from kryptós "hidden, secret" + -ikos -ic entry 1 — more at crypt
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Cite this Entry
"Cryptic." Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cryptic. Accessed 8 Dec. 2021.
More Definitions for cryptic
cryp·tic | \ ˈkrip-tik \
Kids Definition of cryptic
: difficult to understand or make sense of He left a cryptic message.
cryp·tic | \ ˈkrip-tik \
Medical Definition of cryptic
1 : serving to conceal cryptic coloration in animals
2 : not recognized a cryptic infection cryptic cases of lead poisoning
Other Words from cryptic
cryptically \ -ti-k(ə-)lē \ adverb
Cryptic Definition in a Sentence
Source: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cryptic