conundrum
noun /kəˈnʌndrəm/
/kəˈnʌndrəm/
- a confusing problem or question that is very difficult to solve
- The role of clouds is one of the big conundrums of climatology.
- a question, usually involving a trick with words, that you ask for fun synonym riddle
Word Originlate 16th cent.: of unknown origin, but first recorded in a work by Thomas Nashe, as a term of abuse for an eccentric or pedant, later coming to denote a whim or fancy, also a pun. Current senses date from the late 17th cent.