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mysteries

n.
US //ˈmɪstɝiz// UK //mˈɪstəɹiz// mys·ter·ies
  1. 1 unexplained things (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    things that people do not know about or cannot explain.

    plural of mystery; matters that remain unexplained, unknown, or beyond human comprehension.

    Example

    The book explores the mysteries of the deep ocean that scientists are still studying.

    Example

    Despite centuries of research, the mysteries of human consciousness continue to elude a definitive biological explanation.
  2. 2 secret religious rites (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal Technical Religion

    secret religious ceremonies or beliefs, especially from ancient times.

    secret religious rites or doctrines to which only initiated people are admitted, common in ancient Greece and Rome.

    Example

    Historians study the ancient mysteries to understand how people worshipped thousands of years ago.

    Example

    The Eleusinian Mysteries were perhaps the most famous of the secret religious rites of ancient Greece, promising initiates a better fate in the afterlife.

    Usage

    Often capitalized when referring to specific historical groups like the Eleusinian Mysteries.
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Last updated June 20, 2026