i Register
In some senses, cryptic is marked as informal. Watch for register when choosing this word.
cryptic
/ˈkɹɪptɪk/
adj 5noun 1
Collocations
5ADJ.
independent, left, little, odd, phallic
VERB + CRYPTIC
doing, gave, message, time, writing
CRYPTIC + NOUN
crossword, induration, puzzles, tom, watson
PREP.
down, in
ADV.
extremely, only, really
Definitions
adj
1
Having hidden (unapparent) meaning.
2
Mystified or of an obscure nature; not easy to perceive.
I think the Original of this conceit might be, That the Students of Nature, conſcious to her more cryptick wayes of working, reſolve many ſtrange effects into the nearer efficiency of ſecond cauſes[…]
Even the putatively innocuous whimsical shapes and designs of cakes and pastry, notably in Central Europe, retain to this day the phallic concept, the cryptic induration of the aphrodisiac function.
3
Involving use of a code or cipher.
4
Of a crossword puzzle, or a clue in such a puzzle, using, in addition to definitions, wordplay such as anagrams, homophones and hidden words to indicate solutions.
5
Well camouflaged; having good camouflage.
Lonomia caterpillars are extremely cryptic.
noun
1
A cryptic crossword puzzle.
He settled down to the cryptic in the Independent. He loved his crossword. It kept him mentally active, just as gossip did his wife.
This writer has been solving cryptics for 40 years and can usually crack Araucaria, though it might take a couple of days.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
adjective — having a secret or hidden meaning
- cabalistic
- kabbalistic
- qabalistic
- cryptical
- sibylline
adjective — of an obscure nature
- cryptical
- deep
- inscrutable
- mysterious
- mystifying
Antonyms
Idioms & Phrases
Example Bank
601
I think the Original of this conceit might be, That the Students of Nature, conſcious to her more cryptick wayes of working, reſolve many ſtrange effects into the nearer efficiency of ſecond cauſes[…]
Wiktionary02
Even the putatively innocuous whimsical shapes and designs of cakes and pastry, notably in Central Europe, retain to this day the phallic concept, the cryptic induration of the aphrodisiac function.
Wiktionary03
Lonomia caterpillars are extremely cryptic.
Wiktionary04
He settled down to the cryptic in the Independent. He loved his crossword. It kept him mentally active, just as gossip did his wife.
Wiktionary05
This writer has been solving cryptics for 40 years and can usually crack Araucaria, though it might take a couple of days.
Wiktionary06
Baffled by Sherlock Holmes' cryptic remarks, Watson wondered whether Holmes was intentionally concealing his thoughts about the crime.
Tatoeba · #2002Usage Notes
Your note
not saved0 chars