cryptic

• Beschreibt etwas, das rätselhaft, unklar oder schwer zu verstehen ist; oft absichtlich dunkel oder verhüllt formuliert.

Describes something that is mysterious, obscure, or difficult to understand.

1. Mysterious or obscureB2formal

   Having a meaning that is hidden, puzzling, or difficult to understand.

   Rätselhaft

   • He left a cryptic note on the table before disappearing.
   • The message was so cryptic that no one could decipher it.
   • Her cryptic smile made everyone curious about her secret.

   Synonymeabstrusearcanedelphicenigmaticesotericinscrutablemysteriousobscureperplexingpuzzlingreconditesibylline

   Antonymeclearexplicitlucidobviousperspicuousplainstraightforwardtransparentunambiguousunderstandable

2. Enigmatic in expressionB2formal

   Deliberately using ambiguous or puzzling language to conceal meaning.

   Rätselhaft

   • The author's cryptic writing style leaves much to interpretation.
   • He gave a cryptic answer to the journalist's question.
   • The oracle's cryptic prophecy was studied for centuries.

   Synonymeabstruseambiguousdelphicenigmaticequivocalinscrutablemysteriousobscurepuzzlingsibylline

   Antonymeclearexplicitlucidobviousplainstraightforward