Cryptic
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /ˈkɹɪptɪk/ · Part of speech adjective
Quick meaning: Cryptic is an adjective meaning Having hidden (unapparent) meaning.
Meaning
Having hidden (unapparent) meaning.
More Meanings
- Mystified or of an obscure nature; not easy to perceive.
- Involving use of a code or cipher.
- (zoology) Well camouflaged; having good camouflage.
- (zoology) Serving as camouflage.
- (biology, not comparable) Apparently identical, but actually genetically distinct.
- (zoology) Living in a cavity or small cave.
- (crosswording) 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.
Example Sentences
cryptic species
cryptic colouring
Lonomia caterpillars are extremely cryptic.
Much of the Permian Capitan reef was strongly differentiated into open surface and cryptic communities.
Word Forms
- cryptick
- cryptics
Synonyms for cryptic
Depending on context, synonyms include cryptozoic, esoteric, inscrutable, concise, incomprehensible, inexplicable.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include mysterious, inscrutable, mystifying, incomprehensible, inexplicable, deep.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.