cryptic

UK: /ˈkrɪptɪk/ US: /ˈkrɪptɪk/ ,(krip′tik)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

cryp•tic /ˈkrɪptɪk/   adj. 

1. mysterious;
   puzzling:
   cryptic remarks about her work.
2. secret;
   occult:
   cryptic writing.

cryp•ti•cal•ly, adv. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

cryp•tic  (krip′tik), adj. Also, cryp′ti•cal. 

1. mysterious in meaning;
   puzzling;
   ambiguous:
   a cryptic message.
2. abrupt;
   terse;
   short:
   a cryptic note.
3. secret;
   occult:
   a cryptic writing.
4. Cryptography involving or using cipher, code, etc.
5. Zoology fitted for concealing;
   serving to camouflage.

n. 

6. Cryptography a cryptogram, esp. one designed as a puzzle.

• Greek kryptikós hidden. See crypt, -ic
• Late Latin crypticus
• 1595–1605

cryp′ti•cal•ly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 1. enigmatic, perplexing. See ambiguous. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

cryptic / ˈkrɪptɪk/, cryptical adjective

1. hidden; secret; occult
2. (esp of comments, sayings, etc) obscure in meaning
3. (of the coloration of animals) tending to conceal by disguising or camouflaging the shape

Etymology: 17th Century: from Late Latin crypticus, from Greek kruptikos, from kruptos concealed; see crypt

ˈcryptically adverb