enigmatic
resembling an enigma, or a puzzling occurrence, situation, statement, person, etc.; perplexing; mysterious: She has a perpetually enigmatic expression on her face.This is the most enigmatic book I have ever read!
Origin of enigmatic
1- Also en·ig·mat·i·cal.
synonym study For enigmatic
word story For enigmatic
Aínigma (the direct source of English enigma , meaning “a riddle or puzzling situation”) is a derivative of the verb ainíssesthai “to speak in words full of content,” then “to speak in words difficult to understand,” and finally “to speak in riddles,” a progression in meaning that seems very apt in modern life. Ainíssesthai is a derivative of the noun aînos, “tale, story” in Homer, then “meaningful words, praise, tale with a moral, fable, riddle.” This little family of Greek words, like 60 percent of Greek vocabulary, has no known etymology.
Other words for enigmatic
Other words from enigmatic
- en·ig·mat·i·cal·ly, adverb
- non·en·ig·mat·ic, adjective
- non·en·ig·mat·i·cal, adjective
- non·en·ig·mat·i·cal·ly, adverb
- un·en·ig·mat·ic, adjective
- un·en·ig·mat·i·cal, adjective
- un·en·ig·mat·i·cal·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use enigmatic in a sentence
A talk with this enigmatical cousin would be a proper climax to the triumphs of the night.
Ancestors | Gertrude AthertonFrom time to time he would throw to the Nabob across the table a few words enigmatical for all.
The Nabob | Alphonse DaudetI went up to an empty table, asked for a pot of beer and a newspaper, and sat down not far off from this enigmatical being.
Dream Tales and Prose Poems | Ivan Turgenev"The gods reveal many things to those they love," was Peter Gross's enigmatical reply.
The Argus Pheasant | John Charles BeechamI said, finding this explosion and electrical inspiration rather enigmatical.
A Traveler from Altruria: Romance | William Dean Howells
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