enigma

noun

enig·ma i-ˈnig-mə How to pronounce enigma (audio)

: something hard to understand or explain

: an inscrutable or mysterious person

: an obscure speech or writing

Did you know?

Are you an enigma?

A person who is described as an enigma is a bit of a mystery. You never know what that person is really thinking, or what his or her motives for doing something are. An enigma is not easily understood especially because he or she has a confusing mixture of qualities that seem to be in opposition to one another—for example, the attention-seeking but reclusive musician, or the brilliant lawyer who gets lost on the drive home from the grocery store.

The word enigma originally referred not to people but to words, and specifically to words that formed a riddle or complicated metaphor that tested the listener's or reader's alertness and cleverness. This meaning is clearly connected to the word's history. Enigma comes from a Greek word that means "to speak in riddles."

The word enigma didn't jump from referring to riddles to referring to people. In between those uses, it was (and still is) applied to things that puzzle people. Egypt's meticulously constructed Pyramids of Giza or a theory of quantum physics, for example, might be described as enigmas. In these uses, the meaning is simply a figurative extension of the original "riddle" sense.

Example Sentences

Despite the enigma of the singularity, the big bang theory is unquestionably one of the most successful ideas in the history of science.

Tom Yulsman, Astronomy, September 1999 Many scholars call it the ultimate enigma of the Nazi era, indeed perhaps of modern history: How did the Holocaust happen? And why in Germany?

Ralph Blumenthal, New York Times, 10 Jan. 1998 Indeed, the bond that in every individual connects the physiological life and the psychic life—or better the relation existing between the contingence of an individual and the free spirit that assumes it—is the deepest enigma implied in the condition of being human, and this enigma is presented in its most disturbing form in woman.

Simone de Beauvoir, translated and edited by H. M. Parshley, The Second Sex, 1953 To his friends, he was always something of an enigma. one of the great enigmas of our time

Recent Examples on the Web For many Americans, the late Queen Elizabeth II was an enigma.

Matthew Gilbert, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Sep. 2022 Many members of Manea's family now take part, allowing visitors, expatriates and tourists, to interact with the people who often remain an enigma to even those living within the UAE, where Emiratis are just 10-15% of the population.

Melanie Swan, CNN, 2 Sep. 2022 While the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has dashboards for Covid-19 and even monkeypox, gun violence is still an enigma for the public health community.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN, 8 June 2022 The protagonist of the new Netflix film written by Lena Waithe, Beauty, is an enigma.

Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 June 2022 The Latino paradox concept was hardly an enigma for Boyle Heights resident Carlos Montes.

Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2022 As China rose, as America fought and lost its forever wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as technology networked the world, a Russian enigma took form in the Kremlin.

New York Times, 26 Mar. 2022 John Ibrahim is – amongst so many things – an enigma wrapped in a mystery.

Patrick Frater, Variety, 16 Mar. 2022 Right now, Allan is the biggest enigma of the Christie family.

Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 14 Mar. 2022 See More

enigma

noun

as in mystery

something hard to understand or explain how Thomas Jefferson could be both a slaveholder and a champion of liberty remains an enigma

Synonyms & Similar Words

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mystery
puzzle
riddle
conundrum
mystification
secret
why
puzzlement
problem
head-scratcher
closed book
perplexity
challenge
stumper
matter
poser
brainteaser
trouble
case
knot

Synonym Chooser

Some common synonyms of enigma are mystery, problem, puzzle, and riddle. While all these words mean "something which baffles or perplexes," enigma applies to utterance or behavior that is very difficult to interpret.

his suicide remains an enigma

The words mystery and enigma can be used in similar contexts, but mystery applies to what cannot be fully understood by reason or less strictly to whatever resists or defies explanation.

the mystery of the stone monoliths

In some situations, the words problem and enigma are roughly equivalent. However, problem applies to a question or difficulty calling for a solution or causing concern.

problems created by high technology

The words puzzle and enigma are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, puzzle applies to an enigma or problem that challenges ingenuity for its solution.

the thief's motives were a puzzle for the police

The meanings of riddle and enigma largely overlap; however, riddle suggests an enigma or problem involving paradox or apparent contradiction.

the riddle of the reclusive pop star

单词	enigma
释义	enigma noun enig·ma i-ˈnig-mə e- 1 : something hard to understand or explain 2 : an inscrutable or mysterious person 3 : an obscure speech or writing Did you know? Enigma comes from a Greek word that means "to speak in riddles." It applies to things, as well as to people, that puzzle one's mind. Egypt's ancient pyramids and quantum mechanics, for example, might be described as enigmas, as well as physicist Stephen Hawking. In these uses, the word's meaning is a figurative extension of the original "riddle" sense. Did you know? Are you an enigma? A person who is described as an enigma is a bit of a mystery. You never know what that person is really thinking, or what his or her motives for doing something are. An enigma is not easily understood especially because he or she has a confusing mixture of qualities that seem to be in opposition to one another—for example, the attention-seeking but reclusive musician, or the brilliant lawyer who gets lost on the drive home from the grocery store. The word enigma originally referred not to people but to words, and specifically to words that formed a riddle or complicated metaphor that tested the listener's or reader's alertness and cleverness. This meaning is clearly connected to the word's history. Enigma comes from a Greek word that means "to speak in riddles." The word enigma didn't jump from referring to riddles to referring to people. In between those uses, it was (and still is) applied to things that puzzle people. Egypt's meticulously constructed Pyramids of Giza or a theory of quantum physics, for example, might be described as enigmas. In these uses, the meaning is simply a figurative extension of the original "riddle" sense. Synonyms closed book conundrum head-scratcher mystery mystification puzzle puzzlement riddle secret why See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Despite the enigma of the singularity, the big bang theory is unquestionably one of the most successful ideas in the history of science. Tom Yulsman, Astronomy, September 1999 Many scholars call it the ultimate enigma of the Nazi era, indeed perhaps of modern history: How did the Holocaust happen? And why in Germany? Ralph Blumenthal, New York Times, 10 Jan. 1998 Indeed, the bond that in every individual connects the physiological life and the psychic life—or better the relation existing between the contingence of an individual and the free spirit that assumes it—is the deepest enigma implied in the condition of being human, and this enigma is presented in its most disturbing form in woman. Simone de Beauvoir, translated and edited by H. M. Parshley, The Second Sex, 1953 To his friends, he was always something of an enigma. one of the great enigmas of our time Recent Examples on the Web For many Americans, the late Queen Elizabeth II was an enigma. Matthew Gilbert, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Sep. 2022 Many members of Manea's family now take part, allowing visitors, expatriates and tourists, to interact with the people who often remain an enigma to even those living within the UAE, where Emiratis are just 10-15% of the population. Melanie Swan, CNN, 2 Sep. 2022 While the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has dashboards for Covid-19 and even monkeypox, gun violence is still an enigma for the public health community. Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN, 8 June 2022 The protagonist of the new Netflix film written by Lena Waithe, Beauty, is an enigma. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 June 2022 The Latino paradox concept was hardly an enigma for Boyle Heights resident Carlos Montes. Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2022 As China rose, as America fought and lost its forever wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as technology networked the world, a Russian enigma took form in the Kremlin. New York Times, 26 Mar. 2022 John Ibrahim is – amongst so many things – an enigma wrapped in a mystery. Patrick Frater, Variety, 16 Mar. 2022 Right now, Allan is the biggest enigma of the Christie family. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 14 Mar. 2022 See More Word History Etymology Latin aenigma, from Greek ainigmat-, ainigma, from ainissesthai to speak in riddles, from ainos fable First Known Use 1539, in the meaning defined at sense 3 Kids Definition enigma noun enig·ma i-ˈnig-mə : someone or something that is hard to understand Why she quit the team is an enigma to me. enigma noun as in mystery something hard to understand or explain how Thomas Jefferson could be both a slaveholder and a champion of liberty remains an enigma Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance mystery puzzle riddle conundrum mystification secret why puzzlement problem head-scratcher closed book perplexity challenge stumper matter poser brainteaser trouble case knot Synonym Chooser Some common synonyms of enigma are mystery, problem, puzzle, and riddle. While all these words mean "something which baffles or perplexes," enigma applies to utterance or behavior that is very difficult to interpret. his suicide remains an enigma The words mystery and enigma can be used in similar contexts, but mystery applies to what cannot be fully understood by reason or less strictly to whatever resists or defies explanation. the mystery of the stone monoliths In some situations, the words problem and enigma are roughly equivalent. However, problem applies to a question or difficulty calling for a solution or causing concern. problems created by high technology The words puzzle and enigma are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, puzzle applies to an enigma or problem that challenges ingenuity for its solution. the thief's motives were a puzzle for the police The meanings of riddle and enigma largely overlap; however, riddle suggests an enigma or problem involving paradox or apparent contradiction. the riddle of the reclusive pop star
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enigma

noun

Did you know?

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

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Kids Definition

noun

noun

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