enigmatic

adjective

enig·​mat·​ic ˌe-(ˌ)nig-ˈma-tik 

also ˌē-(ˌ)nig-

variants or less commonly enigmatical

ˌe-(ˌ)nig-ˈma-ti-kəl 

also ˌē-(ˌ)nig-

: of, relating to, or resembling an enigma : mysterious

enigmatically

ˌe-(ˌ)nig-ˈma-ti-k(ə-)lē 

also ˌē-(ˌ)nig-

adverb

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The Origin of Enigmatic Isn't a Mystery

The noun enigma can refer to a puzzle, a riddle, a question mark. It’s no mystery then, that the adjective enigmatic describes what is hard to solve or figure out. An enigmatic person, for example, may be someone with a bit of je ne sais quoi. What’s behind a stranger’s enigmatic smile? Your guess is as good as ours. Does the vocabulary in the short story you’re reading render it a tad enigmatic? Better grab a dictionary! Both enigma and enigmatic come from the Greek verb ainissesthai, meaning “to speak in riddles.”

Synonyms of enigmatic

• mysterious
• cryptic
• mystic
• uncanny

Choose the Right Synonym for enigmatic

obscure, dark, vague, enigmatic, cryptic, ambiguous, equivocal mean not clearly understandable.

obscure implies a hiding or veiling of meaning through some inadequacy of expression or withholding of full knowledge.

obscure poems

dark implies an imperfect or clouded revelation often with ominous or sinister suggestion.

muttered dark hints of revenge

vague implies a lack of clear formulation due to inadequate conception or consideration.

a vague sense of obligation

enigmatic stresses a puzzling, mystifying quality.

enigmatic occult writings

cryptic implies a purposely concealed meaning.

cryptic hints of hidden treasure

ambiguous applies to language capable of more than one interpretation.

an ambiguous directive

equivocal applies to language left open to differing interpretations with the intention of deceiving or evading.

moral precepts with equivocal phrasing

Examples of enigmatic in a Sentence

Space seethes with an enormous enigmatic energy, and, each second, trillions of cubic light-years more of it materializes from nothingness. —Bob Berman, Astronomy, November 2007

You'll recognize them by their enigmatic smile and faraway look as they jog, skate, commute, or wander the aisles of the supermarket. —Consumer Reports, December 2005

Despite all that has been written—and surmised—about him, Bill Gates remains the enigmatic ringmaster of the digital circus. —J. D. Reed, People, 15 Mar. 1999

the discovery of the abandoned ship in mid ocean remains one of the most enigmatic episodes in seafaring history

the Mona Lisa's enigmatic smile

Recent Examples on the Web

Its authorship, instead, was attributed to an enigmatic group calling itself the Earth Liberation Front. — Literary Hub, 10 July 2026

When an accident brings the enigmatic Gaia into their lives, unexpected desires begin to take shape, unsettling the careful balance that has long defined their relationship. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 9 July 2026

The show is Dark Winds, the indigenous murder mystery drama starring the enigmatic Zahn McClarnon. — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

The admittedly shy Belgian-Italian fashion designer Anthony Vaccarello entered the house of Saint Laurent as an enigmatic underdog. — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 6 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

see enigma

First Known Use

1609, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for enigmatic

• achromatic
• acrobatic
• adriatic
• aliphatic
• antistatic
• aromatic
• astigmatic
• autocratic
• automatic
• bureaucratic
• charismatic
• cholestatic

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