enigma

noun

enig·ma | \ i-ˈnig-mə

, e-\

Definition of enigma

1 : something hard to understand or explain

2 : an inscrutable or mysterious person

3 : an obscure speech or writing

Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Are you an enigma? Example Sentences Learn More about enigma

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Choose the Right Synonym for enigma

mystery, problem, enigma, riddle, puzzle mean something which baffles or perplexes. 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 problem applies to a question or difficulty calling for a solution or causing concern. problems created by high technology enigma applies to utterance or behavior that is very difficult to interpret. his suicide remains an enigma riddle suggests an enigma or problem involving paradox or apparent contradiction. the riddle of the reclusive pop star puzzle applies to an enigma or problem that challenges ingenuity for its solution. the thief's motives were a puzzle for the police

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.

Examples of enigma in a Sentence

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

Wizards guard Isaiah Thomas is an enigma at this point in his career. — Chris Mannix, SI.com, "Will The Wizards' Isaiah Thomas Ever Return to Form? | The Crossover Podcast," 3 Sep. 2019 With her punky, androgynous appearance and aggressive manner, Di Girolamo plays Ema as an emotional enigma. — David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Ema': Film Review | Venice 2019," 31 Aug. 2019 More: Where Iowa State, Iowa stand in the race for blue-chip PG Jalen Suggs Scottie Barnes, F (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) Barnes is an enigma. — Orion Sang, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan basketball 2020 recruiting board: These are U-M's targets for next year," 16 July 2019 Before the Apollo program, the origin of the moon was an enigma. — Eva Botkin-kowacki, The Christian Science Monitor, "Apollo 11 at 50: How the moon landing changed the world," 16 July 2019 To solve the mystery of Titan’s sand, and perhaps the greater enigma of life’s beginnings, NASA recently approved a $1 billion mission to the hazy orange moon. — Jay Bennett, Smithsonian, "Dragonfly Spacecraft to Scour the Sands of Titan for the Chemistry of Life," 6 May 2012 But the knottiest financial enigma involves Mr. Epstein’s relationship with Mr. Wexner, the chief executive of the apparel conglomerate L Brands, who for years entrusted Mr. Epstein with his financial life. — Matthew Goldstein, New York Times, "Jeffrey Epstein’s Opaque Finances Could Become Focal Point for Investigators," 11 Aug. 2019 But the knottiest financial enigma involves Epstein’s relationship with Wexner, the chief executive of the apparel conglomerate L Brands, who for years entrusted Epstein with his financial life. — Matthew Goldstein, BostonGlobe.com, "Jeffrey Epstein’s opaque finances could be investigators’ next target," 11 Aug. 2019 Milan have struggled to find a style of play which suits their group of players, but Giampaolo seems to have cracked the enigma. — SI.com, "Man Utd 2-2 AC Milan: Report, Ratings & Reaction as Red Devils Earn Penalty Shootout Victory," 3 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'enigma.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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More Definitions for enigma

enigma

noun

English Language Learners Definition of enigma

: someone or something that is difficult to understand or explain

See the full definition for enigma in the English Language Learners Dictionary

enigma

noun

enig·ma | \ i-ˈnig-mə

Kids Definition of enigma

: someone or something that is hard to understand Why she quit the team is an enigma to me.

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enigma

Definition of enigma

Synonyms for enigma

Choose the Right Synonym for enigma

Are you an enigma?

Examples of enigma in a Sentence

First Known Use of enigma

History and Etymology for enigma

English Language Learners Definition of enigma

Kids Definition of enigma

enigma

Definition of enigma

Synonyms for enigma

Choose the Right Synonym for enigma

Are you an enigma?

Examples of enigma in a Sentence

First Known Use of enigma

History and Etymology for enigma

English Language Learners Definition of enigma

Kids Definition of enigma

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