arcane

adjective

ar·​cane är-ˈkān 

: known or knowable only to a few people : secret

arcane rites

an arcane ritual

broadly : mysterious, obscure

arcane explanations

arcane technical details

Synonyms of arcane

• esoteric
• profound

Examples of arcane in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Not in some kind of arcane, separate bonus pool that’s distant from where the revenue comes in. — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026

The universe is not in the business of granting your wishes like some sort of terrifyingly arcane interdimensional Santa Claus, largely because the universe does not think about you, ever. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Justifying the use of force on their campuses, schools primarily deferred to just this idea of protocol, citing arcane policy mandates to disband encampments and occupations so that academic production could resume its flow. — Sophie Landres, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026

Ian informs the sisters that Kylie isn’t merely stumbling into arcane rituals; someone is drawing her to the dark side. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin arcānus "secret, private, intimate," from arca "chest, coffer, box" + -ānus -an entry 2 — more at ark

First Known Use

1547, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for arcane

• abstain
• airplane
• alkane
• arraign
• attain
• backplane
• betaine
• biplane
• blockchain
• butane
• campaign
• cetane