different between mysterious vs baffling

English

Etymology

From Middle French mystérieux.

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -??ri?s
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /m??st???i.?s/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /m??st??i.?s/

Adjective

mysterious (comparative more mysterious, superlative most mysterious)

1. Of unknown origin.

   Synonym: untraceable

2. Having unknown qualities.

   Synonyms: esoteric, uncertain, undefined; see also Thesaurus:mysterious

   Hyponyms: anonymous, faceless, unexplored, unnamed, long-mysterious
3. Difficult to understand.

   Synonyms: see Thesaurus:incomprehensible

4. Deliberately evasive or enigmatic.

   Synonyms: see Thesaurus:covert

Derived terms

• mysteriously
• mysteriousness

Related terms

• mystery

Translations

English

Verb

baffling

1. present participle of baffle

Adjective

baffling (comparative more baffling, superlative most baffling)

1. Puzzling, perplexing, bewildering.
2. frustrating

Derived terms

• baffling wind

Translations

Noun

baffling (plural bafflings)

1. An act of foiling or thwarting.
   • 1831, The Quarterly Review (London)

     […] the contrast of the one determined and still triumphant will of the man, with the transient and vain bafflings of winds or waves, of gods, or monsters […]