Word
enigmatic
Phoneticsenig·mat·ic
US/ˌɛnɪɡˈmætɪk/
UK/ˌɛnɪɡmˈætɪk/
Definition
adj. mysterious and hard to understand. You might describe someone as enigmatic if they keep their thoughts secret and leave you guessing.
adj. difficult to interpret or understand; mysterious. Often used to describe people, expressions, or situations that conceal their true nature or meaning.
Examples
“She gave an enigmatic smile and walked away without answering.”
“The new director remains an enigmatic figure, rarely speaking in meetings but clearly controlling the company's direction.”
“The painting's enduring appeal lies in the subject's enigmatic expression, which critics have debated for centuries without reaching a consensus on its true emotion.”
Examples
simple
“She gave an enigmatic smile and walked away without answering.”
contextual
“The new director remains an enigmatic figure, rarely speaking in meetings but clearly controlling the company's direction.”
complex
“The painting's enduring appeal lies in the subject's enigmatic expression, which critics have debated for centuries without reaching a consensus on its true emotion.”
Usage
Typically used attributively before a noun or predicatively after a linking verb.
Real-World Examples
“To add to the mystery, these bones are those of Denisovans, currently one of the most enigmatic species of hominins.” “Heathcliff fascinates me: enigmatic, brooding, never fully explained.” Etymology
From Latin aenigmaticus and French énigmatique, from Ancient Greek αἰνιγματικός (ainigmatikós); equivalent to enigma + -tic.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/enigmatic