Meaning & use
mysteries
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“mysteries” is a form of “mystery”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nounplural
Things that are difficult to understand or explain, or stories about crimes that are solved by clever reasoning.
Grammar: This is the plural of 'mystery'. Use it with plural verbs: 'The mysteries are fascinating.'
Patterns
- the mysteries of something
- a series of mysteries
- solve mysteries
Scientists still cannot explain the mysteries of the deep ocean.
She loves reading detective mysteries late at night.
The mysteries surrounding the old house attracted many visitors.
nounplural
Events or situations that remain secret or unexplained, often causing curiosity or suspicion.
Grammar: Often used in phrases like 'the mysteries of life' or 'an air of mystery'.
Patterns
- the mysteries of life
- remain a mystery
- be a mystery to someone
The mysteries of the universe have puzzled humans for centuries.
Why he left so suddenly is one of the great mysteries of our time.
The disappearance of the ship remains one of history's unsolved mysteries.
Word forms
| singular | mystery |
|---|
Common combinations
- the mysteries of life
- Philosophers have long debated the mysteries of life and death.
- unsolved mysteries
- The podcast covers famous unsolved mysteries from around the world.
- a series of mysteries
- The author wrote a popular series of mysteries set in Victorian London.
- an air of mystery
- The old mansion had an air of mystery that intrigued everyone.
Synonyms and how they differ
- enigma
- An enigma is a single puzzling thing or person, while mysteries can refer to many such things or to a genre of stories.
- puzzle
- A puzzle is a game or problem that tests your thinking, whereas mysteries often involve crime or unexplained events.
Opposites
Word family
- mysterious adjective
- Difficult to understand or explain; strange and secret.
- mysteriously adverb
- In a way that is difficult to understand or explain.
Commonly confused: mysteries or mystery?
mysteries vs mystery
Mystery is singular; mysteries is plural. Use mystery for one thing, mysteries for more than one.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence:
Choose one answer.
The plural subject 'mysteries' needs the plural verb 'are'. Option A uses a singular verb, and option B uses a singular subject with a plural verb.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “mysteries”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.