Definition of CRYPTIC

cryptic

Plural: cryptics

Adjective Satellite

  • of an obscure nature; ; ; ; - Rachel Carson
    • "the new insurance policy is written without cryptic or mysterious terms"
  • having a secret or hidden meaning; ; ; - John Gunther
    • "cryptic writings"
  • having a puzzling terseness
    • "a cryptic note"

Adj

  • Having hidden (unapparent) meaning.
  • Mystified or of an obscure nature; not easy to perceive.
  • Involving use of a code or cipher.
  • Of a crossword puzzle, or a clue in such a puzzle, using, in addition to definitions, wordplay such as anagrams, homophones and hidden words to indicate solutions.
  • Well camouflaged; having good camouflage.
  • Serving as camouflage.
  • Apparently identical, but actually genetically distinct.
  • Living in a cavity or small cave.

Noun

  • A cryptic crossword puzzle.

Adjective

  • Mysterious or obscure in meaning; puzzling.

Examples

  • cryptic colouring
  • cryptic species
  • His opponent’s Scrabble strategy was so CRYPTIC, it was hard to guess their next move.
  • Lonomia caterpillars are extremely cryptic.

Origin / Etymology

From Late Latin crypticus, from Ancient Greek κρυπτικός (kruptikós), from κρυπτός (kruptós, “hidden”), from κρύπτω (krúptō, “to hide”). Doublet of kryptic.

Scrabble Score: 16

cryptic: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
cryptic: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
cryptic: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 18

cryptic: valid Words With Friends Word