Occult
/əˈkʌlt/
adjectivenounC1
Definition
The word "occult" means something that is hidden or secret, especially knowledge about magic, spirits, or supernatural powers that most people do not know or understand. It can also mean the study or practice of these secret or mysterious things.
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See It in Action
Hidden or secret knowledge related to magic or supernatural things
- •She was interested in occult symbols and their meanings.
- •The book explained occult practices from ancient times.
- •Many stories about the occult involve ghosts, witches, or spirits.
The study or practice of mysterious powers or magic
- •He studied the occult to learn about astrology and tarot cards.
- •Some people believe in occult powers to predict the future.
- •Occult societies often have secret meetings and rituals.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "occult" like "secret," but about mysterious or magical things, not just any secret
- ✓Picture a dark room where only a few people know the hidden symbols on the walls
- ✓It's the feeling of curiosity mixed with a little fear when you hear stories about magic or ghosts
- ✓Sounds like "a-cult" → imagine a small group (a cult) that keeps secret magical knowledge
- ✓In stories, occult powers often mean magic or hidden forces that ordinary people cannot see or understand
- ✓NOT like "obvious" (easy to see or understand), occult means hidden or unknown
- ✓NOT like "science" (based on facts and proof), occult is about things beyond normal understanding or proof
- ✓NOT like "magic" (which can be simple tricks), occult often involves secret knowledge and serious study or belief
Try Other Words
- •Mysterious: hard to understand or explain (Use when you want to say something is strange or unknown but not necessarily magical)
- •Hidden: kept out of sight or knowledge (Use when focusing on something physically or mentally not visible)
- •Esoteric: known only by a small group of people (Use when emphasizing knowledge is limited to few, often difficult to understand)
- •Supernatural: beyond natural laws, involving magic or spirits (Use when focusing on powers beyond the natural world)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: (no clear prefix or suffix; the word comes whole)
- •Etymology: From Latin "occultus," meaning hidden or secret
- •Historical development: Used since the 1500s to describe hidden knowledge, especially about magic or spiritual things
- •Modern usage: Used to describe things related to magic, secret knowledge, or mysterious powers, often in books, movies, and beliefs about the supernatural
Reflect & Connect
•Why do you think people are often curious about occult knowledge or practices even if they don’t fully believe in them?
•How does the idea of something being "occult" change when it is part of a story versus real life?
Fill in the blanks
1.Many people study the occult because they want to learn about ___ forces or hidden knowledge.
2.Occult knowledge is often kept ___ from most people and shared only with a few.
3.Unlike science, the occult is about things that cannot be ___ or explained easily.
4.Some stories say that occult rituals can ___ special powers or contact spirits.
5.The word occult sounds like "a cult," which is a group that might keep ___ beliefs secret.
6.People interested in the occult often use symbols and signs that have ___ meanings.
7.When something is called occult, it usually means it is not ___ or clear to everyone.