different between mysterious vs otherworldly

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

Etymology

otherworld +? -ly

Pronunciation

• (US) enPR: ?th'?r-wûrld?li, IPA^(key): /??ð??w?ld.li/

Adjective

otherworldly (comparative more otherworldly, superlative most otherworldly)

1. Of, concerned with, or preoccupied with a different world than that of the tangible here and now, such as a heavenly, spiritual, or imaginary world.
   • 1917, H. G. Wells, God, the Invisible King, ch. 5,

     Every religion that becomes ascendant, in so far as it is not otherworldly, must necessarily set its stamp upon the methods and administration of the law.

   • 2007, Clive Davis, "Simphiwe Dana: The One Love Movement on Bantu Biko Street," Times of London, 26 Aug.,

     Dana has the otherworldly temperament of a mystic.

2. Not belonging to the real world; unnatural; odd and unfamiliar.

Alternative forms

• other-worldly

Translations

Synonyms

• (of a different world): alien, ethereal, mystical, transcendental

Related terms

• other-worldly