cryptic

/ˈkrɪptɪk/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈkrɪptɪk/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈkrip-tik/ (ame, mw)

cryptic — adjective

  • crypticpositive
  • more crypticcomparative
  • most crypticsuperlative

1. said or written in a partly hidden way, so the real point is hard to grasp

1.形容詞C1
釋義

said or written in a partly hidden way, so the real point is hard to grasp

例句

The note on Mina's desk ended with a cryptic warning about Friday.

cryptic + message or warning

Otis gave a cryptic smile when reporters asked about the missing files.

同義詞
  • mysterious

    broader and can describe people, events, or places, not just messages or remarks

  • enigmatic

    more literary and often suggests an interesting personal quality

  • obscure

    more critical in tone, often stressing lack of clarity

反義詞
  • clear

    easy to understand with no hidden meaning

  • direct

    says the point openly instead of hinting at it

文法句型

a cryptic message

a cryptic remark

be cryptic about [something]

用法筆記

Often used when a person seems to hint at something without saying it plainly. Distinguish it from adjective/2: sense 1 focuses on hidden meaning, while sense 2 focuses on wording that is unusually brief.

常見錯誤

❌She used a cryptic password so nobody could read it.
✅She used a secret password so nobody could read it.
💡cryptic means hard to understand, not simply hidden from other people.

2. using very few words in a way that leaves people unsure what the speaker or writ

2.形容詞C2
釋義

using very few words in a way that leaves people unsure what the speaker or writer means

例句

Quan sent a cryptic reply, then ended the chat without explanation.

cryptic + reply or answer

The doctor offered a cryptic answer instead of explaining the test result.

同義詞
  • terse

    focuses on shortness and can sound sharp or unfriendly

  • brief

    only means short; it does not imply confusion

  • elliptical

    more formal and stresses that words have been left out

反義詞
  • detailed

    gives fuller information instead of leaving gaps

  • explicit

    states the meaning plainly and completely

文法句型

a cryptic reply

a cryptic email

stay cryptic about [something]

用法筆記

This sense often appears with reply, answer, email, or comment when the wording is notably short. Distinguish it from adjective/1: a message can be cryptic in sense 2 because it is too brief, even if it is not hinting at a deeper secret.

常見錯誤

❌The notice was cryptic because it was only one sentence.
✅The notice was brief because it was only one sentence.
💡short writing is not cryptic unless it also leaves the meaning hard to work out.

3. connected with word puzzles or codes whose clues must be worked out rather than

3.形容詞C1
釋義

connected with word puzzles or codes whose clues must be worked out rather than read directly

例句

Yuna solved the cryptic clue after spotting the hidden anagram.

cryptic clue solved through wordplay

The magazine prints one cryptic crossword beside the weekend weather page.

同義詞
  • coded

    stronger for writing that hides meaning through a system or key

  • encrypted

    more technical and usually used for formal code systems

  • puzzling

    broader and does not specifically suggest clues or codes

反義詞

文法句型

a cryptic clue

a cryptic crossword

a cryptic code

用法筆記

Especially common before clue or crossword, where the answer is hidden through wordplay. It can also describe coded writing that has to be solved rather than read in an ordinary way.