Enigma
noun /ɪˈnɪɡmə/ — A person or thing so mysterious it seems to defy explanation.
Definition
Something or someone impossible to understand or explain fully — a riddle wrapped in a character, a problem whose solution only deepens the mystery.
Beyond the definition
Churchill called Russia a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma. An enigma is not merely confusing — it actively resists comprehension while inviting it. The enigmatic person is magnetic precisely because they cannot be fully known.
Origin & history
Latin 'aenigma,' from Greek 'ainigma' — a riddle, from 'ainissesthai' (to speak in riddles). The Sphinx's riddle is the archetypal ancient enigma.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
She was an enigma to her colleagues — brilliant, warm, and fundamentally private.
The painting remained an enigma — three centuries of scholars, no consensus.
He cultivated an enigma carefully; mystery is itself a kind of power.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Enigma” when the meaning fits your context: Something or someone impossible to understand or explain fully — a riddle wrapped in a character, a problem whose solution only deepens the mystery.
Synonyms
mystery, riddle, puzzle, conundrum, paradox
Antonyms
transparency, openness, clarity
Related words
Questions about this word
What does "Enigma" mean?
Enigma is noun meaning: A person or thing so mysterious it seems to defy explanation.. Something or someone impossible to understand or explain fully — a riddle wrapped in a character, a problem whose solution only deepens the mystery.
Where does the word "Enigma" come from?
Latin 'aenigma,' from Greek 'ainigma' — a riddle, from 'ainissesthai' (to speak in riddles). The Sphinx's riddle is the archetypal ancient enigma.