Cryptic
/ˈkrɪptɪk/
Definitions
Mysterious in meaning; puzzling or enigmatic.
/ˈkrɪptɪk/
Having a hidden or ambiguous meaning.
The instructions were so cryptic that nobody knew what to do.
💡 Simply: Imagine someone says something that sounds like a puzzle you need to solve. It's like they're hinting at something, but not being totally clear. It's like when you're playing a game and there are clues that are a little hard to understand.
👶 For kids: When something is cryptic, it means it's a secret and hard to understand. It's like a secret code!
More Examples
He left a cryptic note on the door, making us wonder who visited.
The cryptic clues led the detectives on a wild goose chase.
She responded with a cryptic message, leaving me confused.
How It's Used
"The poet's cryptic verses baffled scholars for centuries."
"The message was written in a cryptic code that only a few could decipher."
"Her response to my question was cryptic, leaving me unsure of her true feelings."
Idioms & expressions
cryptic crossword
A type of crossword puzzle where the clues are designed to be difficult to understand without additional knowledge.
"I love solving cryptic crosswords, though they can be very challenging."
cryptic message
A message that is difficult to understand and has a hidden meaning or secret purpose.
"He sent me a cryptic message that made me suspect something was wrong."
From Greek kryptikos, meaning "hidden." It's related to the word "crypt," meaning a hidden or secret place.
The word 'cryptic' gained popularity in the 19th century, often used in literature and discussions of codes and puzzles.
Memory tip
Think of a secret 'crypt' where hidden messages are kept.