riddle

1 of 5

noun (1)

rid·​dle ˈri-dᵊl 

1

: a mystifying, misleading, or puzzling question posed as a problem to be solved or guessed : conundrum, enigma

2

: something or someone difficult to understand

the riddle of the origin of the universe

My father has always been a riddle to me.

riddle

2 of 5

verb (1)

riddled; riddling ˈri-dᵊl-iŋ 

ˈrid-liŋ

intransitive verb

: to speak in or propound riddles

transitive verb

1

: to find the solution of : explain

2

: to set a riddle for : puzzle

riddler

ˈri-dᵊl-ər 

ˈrid-lər

noun

riddle

3 of 5

noun (2)

: a coarse sieve

riddle

4 of 5

verb (2)

riddled; riddling ˈri-dᵊl-iŋ 

ˈrid-liŋ

transitive verb

1

: to separate (something, such as grain from chaff) with a riddle : screen

2

: to pierce with many holes

riddled the car with bullets

3

: to spread through : permeate

a book riddled with errors

riddel

5 of 5

noun (3)

rid·​del ˈri-dᵊl 

variants or less commonly riddle

ˈri-dᵊl

plural -s

: a church curtain : one of the side curtains of an altar

Did you know?

Riddle Me This

Riddle comes from an Old English word meaning "opinion" or "conjecture" that is related to a verb meaning "to interpret."

Synonyms of riddle

Noun (1)

• mystery
• puzzle
• enigma

Verb (2)

• drill
• pierce
• punch
• hole

Choose the Right Synonym for riddle

mystery, problem, enigma, riddle, puzzle mean something which baffles or perplexes.

mystery applies to what cannot be fully understood by reason or less strictly to whatever resists or defies explanation.

the mystery of the stone monoliths

problem applies to a question or difficulty calling for a solution or causing concern.

problems created by high technology

enigma applies to utterance or behavior that is very difficult to interpret.

his suicide remains an enigma

riddle suggests an enigma or problem involving paradox or apparent contradiction.

the riddle of the reclusive pop star

puzzle applies to an enigma or problem that challenges ingenuity for its solution.

the thief's motives were a puzzle for the police

Examples of riddle in a Sentence

Noun (1)

his motives for starting an argument with the coach were a complete riddle

Verb (2)

several signs along the highway were riddled by buckshot

the newspaper exposé revealed a gaming commission that is riddled with corruption

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

London Falling is an investigation of an inexplicable death told through the lens of parents struggling to solve the riddle of who their son really was. —Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026

The machine’s repertoire included answers to 12 riddles, passages from books, and laughing, crying and kissing sounds, as well as arias sung in both male and female voices—all feats that Edison’s phonograph would one day be able to accomplish by recording and playing back the human voice. —Ron Cowen, Scientific American, 3 June 2026

Verb

An aftermath riddled with guilt and shame after Percy loses the love of her life, both stories on page and screen demonstrate how a single decision can reverberate across more than a decade, affecting someone’s self-perception and relationships. —Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 11 June 2026

Her outfit was riddled with Easter eggs nodding to the iconic Disney-Pixar franchise, but one part of her look held extra special meaning. —Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English redels, ridel, from Old English rǣdelse opinion, conjecture, riddle; akin to Old English rǣdan to interpret — more at read

Noun (2)

Middle English ridel, going back to Old English hriddel (attested once), alteration (by dissimilation or suffix substitution) of hridder, hrīder, going back to Germanic *hrīdra- (whence also Old Saxon hrīdra "sieve," Old High German rītera), going back to Indo-European *krei̯(h₁)̯-dhro- or *krei̯(h₁)̯-tro- (whence Latin crībrum "sieve," Old Irish críathar, Old Welsh cruitr "winnowing fan"), from *krei̯(h₁)- "sift, separate" + *-dhro-, *-tro-, suffixes of instrument — more at certain entry 1

Note: See note at acetabulum.

Noun (3)

Middle English ridel, riddel, perhaps from riddil riddle (sieve)

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

1571, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun (2)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for riddle

• diddle
• fiddle
• griddle
• middle

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Kids Definition

riddle

1 of 4 noun

rid·​dle ˈrid-ᵊl 

1

: a baffling, misleading, or puzzling question presented as a problem to be solved or guessed : conundrum

2

: something or someone difficult to understand

riddle

2 of 4 verb

riddled; riddling ˈrid-liŋ 

-ᵊl-iŋ

1

: to find the answer for a riddle or mystery

2

: to create a riddle for : mystify

3

: to speak in riddles

riddler

-lər 

-ᵊl-ər

noun

riddle

3 of 4 noun

: a coarse sieve

riddle

4 of 4 verb

riddled; riddling ˈrid-liŋ 

-ᵊl-iŋ

1

: to sift or separate with or as if with a riddle

2

a

: to pierce with many holes

riddled the car with bullets

b

: to spread through

a book riddled with mistakes

Etymology

Noun

Old English rǣdelse "opinion, riddle"

Noun

Old English hriddel "a coarse sieve"