Word
enigma
Phoneticsenig·ma
US/ɪˈnɪɡmə/
UK/ɛnˈɪɡmɐ/
Definition
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.
Examples
“The reason for his sudden departure remains an enigma.”
“Despite years of research, the purpose of the ancient stone circle remains a complete enigma to archaeologists.”
“The reclusive billionaire was a true enigma, rarely appearing in public and never granting interviews to the press that obsessed over his private life.”
Examples
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'.
Real-World Examples
“For decades physicists have been puzzling over the enigma of dark matter.” “In the middle of all this is Theo James’s Eddie, a thick-armed enigma wrapped in a yawn.” Etymology
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.
Word family
Idioms
riddle wrapped in an enigma — Something very mysterious and hidden.
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/enigma