enigma

noun

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enig·ma | \ i-ˈnig-mə

, e- \

Definition of enigma

1 : something hard to understand or explain

2 : an inscrutable or mysterious person

3 : an obscure speech or writing

Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Are you an enigma? Example Sentences Learn More about enigma

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Choose the Right Synonym for enigma

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

Are you an enigma?

A person who is described as an enigma is a bit of a mystery. You never know what that person is really thinking, or what his or her motives for doing something are. An enigma is not easily understood especially because he or she has a confusing mixture of qualities that seem to be in opposition to one another—for example, the attention-seeking but reclusive musician, or the brilliant lawyer who gets lost on the drive home from the grocery store.

The word enigma originally referred not to people but to words, and specifically to words that formed a riddle or complicated metaphor that tested the listener's or reader's alertness and cleverness. This meaning is clearly connected to the word's history. Enigma comes from a Greek word that means "to speak in riddles."

The word enigma didn't jump from referring to riddles to referring to people. In between those uses, it was (and still is) applied to things that puzzle people. Egypt's meticulously constructed Pyramids of Giza or a theory of quantum physics, for example, might be described as enigmas. In these uses, the meaning is simply a figurative extension of the original "riddle" sense.

Examples of enigma in a Sentence

Despite the enigma of the singularity, the big bang theory is unquestionably one of the most successful ideas in the history of science. — Tom Yulsman, Astronomy, September 1999 Many scholars call it the ultimate enigma of the Nazi era, indeed perhaps of modern history: How did the Holocaust happen? And why in Germany? — Ralph Blumenthal, New York Times, 10 Jan. 1998 Indeed, the bond that in every individual connects the physiological life and the psychic life—or better the relation existing between the contingence of an individual and the free spirit that assumes it—is the deepest enigma implied in the condition of being human, and this enigma is presented in its most disturbing form in woman. — Simone de Beauvoir, translated and edited by H. M. Parshley, The Second Sex, 1953 To his friends, he was always something of an enigma. one of the great enigmas of our time

Recent Examples on the Web Allied efforts to break the enigma code included the work of computer science pioneer Alan Turing. — Fox News, "United Kingdom reveals last decoded Nazi message to mark VE Day," 8 May 2020 To get a sense of the Samsung enigma consider first its ruling dynasty. — The Economist, "Schumpeter What is weighing on Samsung?," 2 May 2020 And what about Elon, the famous enigma behind so many inventions? — Faran Krentcil, Harper's BAZAAR, "Maye Musk on Escaping Domestic Abuse and Raising Three Geniuses (Including Elon) on Her Own," 15 Nov. 2019 The best lefthander in the American League for the last half-dozen years became an enigma this year, striking out 218 batters in 147⅓ innings, but getting hit around and/or losing his command all too often. — BostonGlobe.com, "In the waning days, it’s a worthwhile exercise to take a look at the individual performances among the 2019 Red Sox players as we figure out who might be a part of this going forward, and more important, who should and shouldn’t be.," 25 Sep. 2019 Over a decade after their discovery, fast radio bursts remain an enigma. — John Timmer, Ars Technica, "Closest-ever fast radio burst makes some ideas on their origin less likely," 7 Jan. 2020 Despite a long career in politics and his service to the various factions of Peronism, Fernández remains an enigma to most Argentines. — Ryan C. Berg, National Review, "Unwelcome Signs for the U.S. in Argentina’s New Administration," 13 Dec. 2019 Further Reading The Polestar 1 is a turbocharged, supercharged, plug-in hybrid enigmaThe new brand's first model was the cerebral Polestar 1, a plug-in hybrid GT that will remain a rare sight on the roads. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, "Volvo performance spin-off Polestar starts building its new battery EV," 24 Mar. 2020 Poppy This avant-garde pop enigma is part singer-songwriter, part performance artist, all viral –a fashionista and comic book writer whose YouTube channel has four million followers. — Ed Masley, azcentral, "Best concerts in Phoenix this February: Innings Festival, Young Dolph & Key Glock, Thrice," 31 Jan. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'enigma.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.