mystery

Something that people cannot understand or explain because important facts are unknown.

• It is a mystery.
• Nobody has solved the mystery of her disappearance.
• How they got inside remains a mystery.

How to use it: a mystery to someone (His sudden departure is a mystery to me.)

Similar words: puzzle, enigma

Common phrases: solve a mystery, remain a mystery, complete mystery

A story about a strange event or crime, in which someone tries to discover what happened.

• I enjoy a good mystery.
• She wrote a mystery set in a small village.
• Have you read any of his mysteries?

Similar words: detective story, crime story, whodunit

Common phrases: read a mystery, murder mystery, mystery novel

A secret religious ceremony in which only people accepted into a particular religious group could take part.

• Only members could attend the mystery.
• The ancient mysteries included secret religious ceremonies.
• New members prepared carefully before taking part in the mysteries.

Similar words: secret rite

Common phrases: ancient mystery, mystery cult, mystery rite

An event in the life of Jesus that Christians think about during certain prayers.

• They prayed over the first mystery.
• The crucifixion is one of the sorrowful mysteries.
• Each mystery gives the group an event to reflect on.

Common phrases: joyful mystery, sorrowful mystery, glorious mystery