conundrum
Americannoun
-
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.
-
anything that puzzles.
noun
-
a riddle, esp one whose answer makes a play on words
-
a puzzling question or problem
Etymology
Origin of conundrum
First recorded in 1590–1600; pseudo-Latin word of obscure origin
Explanation
The tricky word conundrum is used to describe a riddle or puzzle, sometimes including a play on words or pun. One of the most famous conundrums is the riddle of the Sphinx, famously in the play Oedipus the King by Sophocles. Oedipus encounters the Sphinx, a mythical beast, who asks him, "What walks on four legs in the morning, two in the afternoon, and three in the evening?" The answer is "A person": crawling as a child, walking as an adult, and using a cane in old age. The scary thing is that if the Sphinx asked you the riddle and you didn't know, she'd eat you!
Vocabulary lists containing conundrum
100 Top "SAT" Words
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
In a Pickle: Words for When You're in Trouble
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
100 SAT words Beginning with "C"
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Perhaps the biggest conundrum the head coach has been left with after this camp is up front.
From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026
"Until recently, while stellar rotation was thought to be part of solving this conundrum, limited computing abilities prevented us from quantitatively testing the hypothesis," says Falk Herwig, principal investigator and director of ARC.
From Science Daily • Mar. 24, 2026
The subject line of your email, to play therapist for a moment, was illuminating and revealed the heart of your conundrum.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 10, 2026
“It’s probably the number-one question, issue or conundrum we’re dealing with today,” said Aon’s global chief investment officer, Russ Ivinjack, who advises and manages money for pension plans, endowments and foundations.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 2, 2026
Vivid to me, and a seeming conundrum, was the refusal of my inmate to submit to a strip-frisk.
From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
