C2adjectiveformalacademiclanguage
US/ɑːrˈkeɪn/
UK/ɑːˈkeɪn/
secret or mysterious, so that only a small group of people know or understand it
In context
Legal documents are often written in arcane language that ordinary people cannot follow.
The rules of cricket seem arcane to most Vietnamese viewers.
He spent years studying arcane details of medieval philosophy.
Words that go with arcane
adjective + noun
- arcane rulesVisitors are confused by the arcane rules of the parking system.
- arcane languageMany students struggle with the arcane language of old textbooks.
- arcane knowledgeThe old monk was said to have arcane knowledge of herbs.
- arcane detailsI will not bore you with the arcane details of tax law.
adverb + adjective
- somewhat arcaneThe debate may seem somewhat arcane to outsiders.