conundrum

American  

[kuh-nuhn-druhm] / kəˈnʌn drəm /

noun

1. a riddle, the answer to which involves a pun or play on words, as What is black and white and read all over? A newspaper.

2. anything that puzzles.

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conundrum British  

/ kəˈnʌndrəm /

noun

1. a riddle, esp one whose answer makes a play on words

2. a puzzling question or problem

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Etymology

Origin of conundrum

First recorded in 1590–1600; pseudo-Latin word of obscure origin

Example Sentences

It is a conundrum facing many fast-growing economies, where plastic use and disposal has outpaced the government's ability to collect, sort and recycle.

From Barron's

Does cinema tell — and thus validate — stories of mothers dealing with this very complicated conundrum?

From Los Angeles Times

Still, Allen can sympathize with what he calls the “weird conundrum” that Garrett is going through by having such a successful season on a team that’s floundering.

From The Wall Street Journal

This is a conundrum that is familiar to anyone who follows baseball.

From The Wall Street Journal

To spend or not to spend is a conundrum facing governments worldwide.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• enigma
• mystery
• riddle