Subscriber login


Forgot your password?

Library card login

Other

mystify

Pronunciation: /ˈmɪstɪfʌɪ/
Translate mystify | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of mystify

verb (mystifies, mystifying, mystified)

[with object]
  • utterly bewilder or perplex (someone):I was completely mystified by his disappearance (as adjective mystifying)a mystifying phenomenon
  • make obscure or mysterious:lawyers who mystify the legal system so that laymen find it unintelligible

Derivatives

mystification

Pronunciation: /-fɪˈkeɪʃ(ə)n/
noun

mystifier

noun

mystifyingly

adverb

Origin:

early 19th century: from French mystifier, formed irregularly from mystique 'mystic' or from mystère 'mystery'

mystify in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of mystify in the US English dictionary
  |  Cite

More results for mystify

Oxford Dictionaries Pro

For Oxford's best resources for writers, plus thesaurus, audio, and 1.9m examples.

Shop for an Oxford dictionary

Find the perfect Oxford dictionary for you in our online shop.
SHOP NOW ►

Word of the day

monocular

/ məˈnɒkjʊlə /
adjective , noun
with, for, or in one eye …