conundrum
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co·nun·drum

noun \kə-ˈnən-drəm\

Definition of CONUNDRUM

1
: a riddle whose answer is or involves a pun
2
a : a question or problem having only a conjectural answer
b : an intricate and difficult problem

Examples of CONUNDRUM

  1. <the conundrum of how an ancient people were able to build such massive structures without the benefit of today's knowledge and technology>
  2. … giving parents a wealth of educational options sometimes presents a familiar inner-city conundrum: What if all your choices are bad ones? —Katherine Boo, New Yorker, 9 Apr. 2001

Origin of CONUNDRUM

origin unknown
First Known Use: 1645

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