Occult
adjective / noun /əˈkʌlt/ — Hidden from ordinary understanding — the knowledge beyond the visible.
Definition
Of, involving, or relating to supernatural, mystical, or magical powers or phenomena; not divulged; beyond the range of ordinary knowledge.
Beyond the definition
Occult literally means 'hidden' — it shares a root with 'conceal'. Before it became associated specifically with magic and mysticism, it described any knowledge hidden from ordinary view. Science itself was once called occult philosophy. The word names the human fascination with what lies beyond the explanations we have.
Origin & history
From Latin occultus 'hidden, secret', past participle of occulere 'to cover over, conceal' — from ob 'over' + a root related to celare 'to hide'. The same root gives us 'conceal' and 'cell'.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
The library's occult section was the smallest and the most borrowed.
In the Renaissance, astrology, alchemy, and natural magic were serious occult sciences.
She had an occult knowledge of the city's history — things she'd found in archives no one else had visited.
How to use it
Follow this entry’s examples for grammatical form and sentence placement.
Choose “Occult” when the meaning fits your context: Of, involving, or relating to supernatural, mystical, or magical powers or phenomena; not divulged; beyond the range of ordinary knowledge.
Synonyms
Antonyms
manifest, obvious, disclosed, rational
Related words
Questions about this word
What does "Occult" mean?
Occult is adjective / noun meaning: Hidden from ordinary understanding — the knowledge beyond the visible.. Of, involving, or relating to supernatural, mystical, or magical powers or phenomena; not divulged; beyond the range of ordinary knowledge.
Where does the word "Occult" come from?
From Latin occultus 'hidden, secret', past participle of occulere 'to cover over, conceal' — from ob 'over' + a root related to celare 'to hide'. The same root gives us 'conceal' and 'cell'.