English Reference
Noun

enigma

n. countable
C1 Advanced US /ɪˈnɪɡmə/ UK /ɛnˈɪɡmɐ/ enig·ma UK spelling enigmas

n.something or someone that is mysterious and very difficult to understand.

n.a person, thing, or situation that is mysterious, puzzling, or difficult to interpret. Often carries a connotation of intellectual challenge or intrigue.


SIMPLE

The reason for his sudden departure remains an enigma.

CONTEXTUAL

Despite years of research, the purpose of the ancient stone circle remains a complete enigma to archaeologists.

COMPLEX

The reclusive billionaire was a true enigma, rarely appearing in public and never granting interviews to the press that obsessed over his private life.

Usage

Often paired with the verbs 'remain' or 'be'.

For decades physicists have been puzzling over the enigma of dark matter.

The Guardian· 10 Sept 2026

In the middle of all this is Theo James’s Eddie, a thick-armed enigma wrapped in a yawn.

The Guardian· 3 Sept 2026

From Latin aenigma (“riddle”), being derived itself from the Ancient Greek verbal noun αἴνιγμα (aínigma, “dark saying, speaking in riddles”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Ancient Greek -
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Frequent
Updated