sphinx

noun

ˈsfiŋ(k)s 

plural sphinxes or sphinges ˈsfin-ˌjēz 

1

a

capitalized : a winged female monster in Greek mythology having a woman's head and a lion's body and noted for killing anyone unable to answer its riddle

b

: an enigmatic or mysterious person

she is a sphinx whose features hold a blank fascination

2

: an ancient Egyptian image in the form of a recumbent lion having a man's head, a ram's head, or a hawk's head

sphinxlike

ˈsfiŋ(k)s-ˌlīk 

adjective

Examples of sphinx in a Sentence

a statue of the Sphinx

Recent Examples on the Web

To dig deeper, the scientists wanted to know whether the sphinx state was just a reflex or a conscious choice. —Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 24 Aug. 2025

The historic treasures — which included a statue of a sphinx, Roman coins and other relics— were brought to shore by archaeologists and divers from the waters of Abu Qir Bay near the Egyptian port city of Alexandria, The Associated Press reported. —Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 22 Aug. 2025

The artifacts included a headless statue, a sphinx and a priest figure. —Roisín Savage, NBC news, 22 Aug. 2025

Yoga poses, including cat/cow, child’s pose, sphinx, and cobra may also help. —Stephanie Anderson Witmer, Health, 5 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from Greek Sphinx, Sphix

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing sphinx

• sphinx moth

Rhymes for sphinx

• binks
• blinks
• chinks
• drinks
• hinks
• inks
• jinks
• jinx
• kinks
• links
• lynx
• minks

Kids Definition

sphinx

noun

ˈsfiŋ(k)s 

plural sphinxes or sphinges ˈsfin-ˌjēz 

: an ancient Egyptian image having the body of a lion and the head of a man, ram, or hawk