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cryptic

/ˈkɹɪptɪk/EnglishC1

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cryptic1 adjective

  1. Hard to understand, interpret, or perceive.

    In other words: puzzling, mysterious, obscure

    • Her reply was cryptic, and no one knew what she meant.
  2. Having hidden or obscure meaning.

    In other words: enigmatic, obscure, veiled

    • The poem's title is cryptic, hinting at a hidden meaning.
  3. Relating to a crossword clue or puzzle that uses wordplay as well as a definition to indicate the answer.

    In other words: wordplay-based, puzzling, deceptive

    • I spent an hour on a cryptic clue before I saw the anagram.
More meanings (5)
  1. Using a code or cipher.

    In other words: coded, enciphered, ciphered

    • The message was sent in cryptic form to avoid detection.
  2. Well camouflaged; difficult to see because it blends in with its surroundings.

    In other words: camouflaged, concealed, hidden

    • The insect was cryptic against the bark.
  3. Providing camouflage.

    In other words: camouflaging, concealing, disguising

    • The moth's wings are cryptic, helping it avoid predators.
  4. Apparently identical but genetically distinct.

    In other words: sibling, look-alike, genetically distinct

    • The two populations are cryptic species.
  5. Living in a cavity or small cave.

    In other words: cavernicolous, cave-dwelling, cryptozoic

cryptic2 noun

  1. informal A cryptic crossword puzzle.

    In other words: cryptic crossword, crossword puzzle

    • She does a cryptic every morning with her coffee.

Cryptic

More meanings (1)
  1. proper noun An epoch from 4567 to 4150 million years ago, a subdivision of the Prenectarian.

    In other words: Cryptic epoch

    • The Cryptic marks an early stage in Earth's history.