enigma

[ uh-nig-muh ]

noun

, plural e·nig·mas; Chiefly Archaic e·nig·ma·ta [uh, -, nig, -m, uh, -t, uh].

1. a puzzling or inexplicable occurrence or situation:

   His disappearance is an enigma that has given rise to much speculation.

   Synonyms: problem

2. a person of puzzling or contradictory character:

   To me he has always been an enigma, one minute completely insensitive, the next moved to tears.

3. a saying, question, picture, etc., containing a hidden meaning; riddle.
4. (initial capital letter) a German-built enciphering machine developed for commercial use in the early 1920s and later adapted and appropriated by German and other Axis powers for military use through World War II.

enigma

/ ˌɛnɪɡˈmætɪk; ɪˈnɪɡmə /

noun

1. a person, thing, or situation that is mysterious, puzzling, or ambiguous

Derived Forms

• ˌenigˈmatically, adverb
• enigmatic, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of enigma¹

First recorded in 1530–40; from Latin aenigma, from Greek aínigma, equivalent to ainik- (stem of ainíssesthai “to speak in riddles,” derivative of aînos fable) + -ma noun suffix of result

Word History and Origins

Origin of enigma¹

C16: from Latin aenigma, from Greek ainigma, from ainissesthai to speak in riddles, from ainos fable, story

Synonym Study

See puzzle.

Example Sentences

As great as this feat was, an equally demanding test followed: to conceal from the Nazis that Enigma had been beaten.

From The Daily Beast

Madame Cézanne is ultimately about the figure in the portraits rather than the person, who remains a tantalizing enigma.

From The Daily Beast

He was a paragon of masculinity—a tall, dark, and impossibly handsome enigma.

From The Daily Beast

The name is "an enigma even to me," Taylor says -- an appropriately mysterious moniker to make spiritual music under.

From The Daily Beast

Lil B is a mystery wrapped in an enigma wrapped in a song about Ellen Degeneres.

From The Daily Beast

To Lucy Warrender, who now heard of the matter for the first time, these initials were no enigma.

From Project Gutenberg

He tells me that La Fayette has fled; but when, where, or for what purpose, is all equally an enigma.

From Project Gutenberg

Aristide looked mournfully over the rain-swept common through the leaded panes, and speculated on the enigma of woman.

From Project Gutenberg

The Man in the Iron Mask is an enigma which each one attempts to solve.

From Project Gutenberg

“You tempt one to enquire the length of the reign of a satisfactory enigma,” cried Lady Engleton.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• conundrum
• puzzle