Word.ws English Dictionary

cryptex

UK/ˈkɹɪptɛks/

cryptex noun: a puzzle box solved with a passcode.

Noun

cryptex (plural cryptices or cryptexes)

  1. A puzzle box solved with a passcode.
    • Sophie was not surprised. Most of Leonardo’s unbuilt inventions had never been studied or even named. The term cryptex possibly had been her grandfather’s creation, an apt title for this device that used the science of cryptology to protect information written on the contained scroll or codex.[2003, Dan Brown, The Da Vinci Code, New York: Doubleday, →ISBN, page 199
    • With an embossed cover, vellum pages and brooding, mysterious artwork, this tome has a rich, premium feel. Careful readers can use the enclosed UV light and cryptex to reveal secrets that remain hidden from view.2015 December 28, Nino Kilgore-Marchetti, “Are Scotch Single Malt Tomes A New Trend? Perhaps”, in The Whiskey Wash, archived from the original on 30 May 2022

Examples of cryptex in a sentence

  • Morphing Morphology: This cryptex (a vault used to hide secret messages) allows visitors to turn five wheels to line up the various parts of eight different trees found in North America.2019 April 22, “Play your way through Reiman Gardens with larger-than-life toys and games”, in (Please provide the book title or journal...
  • Beyond that, on multiple instances Andy shows familiarity with complex concepts like religious oligarchies and a puzzle like a cryptex.2021 February 26, Keegan McGuire, “The Parks & Recreation Fan Theory That Pegs Andy As A Secret Genius”, in Looper, archived from the...
  • Or throw another bolt or two in and pull off this cryptex-like safe.2022 April 16, Dan Maloney, “Tiny Pneumatic Tool Made From A Single(-ish) Bolt”, in Hackaday, archived from the original on 27 May 2022:
  • Sentimental doesn't equate to boring, and this fun cryptex puzzle with hidden compartments is proof of that.2022 November 23, Neha Tandon, Emily Shiffer, “39 Best Sentimental Gifts 2022: Unique, Memorable Ideas”, in Women's Health Magazine...

Forms of cryptex

pluralcryptices
pluralcryptexes

Origin of cryptex

Blend of cryptology + codex, coined in The Da Vinci Code (2003); see quotations.

Words that rhyme with cryptex

35 more rhymesFewer rhymes

Questions about cryptex

What does cryptex mean?
Cryptex means a puzzle box solved with a passcode.
How do you use cryptex in a sentence?
Morphing Morphology: This cryptex (a vault used to hide secret messages) allows visitors to turn five wheels to line up the various parts of eight different trees found in North America.
What part of speech is cryptex?
Cryptex is a noun.
How do you pronounce cryptex?
Cryptex is pronounced /ˈkɹɪptɛks/ (UK).
What is the plural of cryptex?
The plural of cryptex is cryptices.

Words near cryptex in the dictionary

  1. cryptenamine
  2. crypterati
  3. crypteroniaceous
  4. cryptesthesia
  5. cryptesthetic
  6. cryptex
  7. cryptexes
  8. cryptic
  9. cryptic crossword
  10. cryptic crosswords
  11. cryptic definition

Source and license

Adapted from Wiktionary: cryptex (page history and authors). Text available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 license. Word.ws reformatted the entry and added links. Wiktionary data of 2026-09-02.

Last updated:

Cite this entry: “cryptex.” Word.ws, https://word.ws/cryptex. Based on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.