enigma Definition
- 1a person or thing that is mysterious, puzzling, or difficult to understand
- 2a riddle or puzzle
Using enigma: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "enigma" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The Mona Lisa's smile has always been an enigma to art historians.
Example
The disappearance of the plane remains an enigma to investigators.
Example
The true identity of the author is an enigma.
Example
The enigma of the Bermuda Triangle has never been solved.
enigma Synonyms and Antonyms
Idioms Using enigma
Example
Her behavior is a mystery wrapped in an enigma; no one knows what she's thinking.
Example
The workings of the stock market are an enigma to most people.
Example
It took years to solve the enigma of the lost city, but finally, it was discovered.
Phrases with enigma
Example
The disappearance of the hiker is an enigma wrapped in a mystery.
a code used by the Germans during World War II that was eventually broken by British intelligence
Example
The breaking of the enigma code was a major turning point in the war.
Example
The enigma machine was a complex device that required skilled operators to use.
Origins of enigma
from Latin 'aenigma', from Greek 'ainigma', meaning 'riddle'
Summary: enigma in Brief
The term 'enigma' [ɪˈnɪɡmə] refers to a person or thing that is mysterious, puzzling, or difficult to understand. It can also refer to a riddle or puzzle. Examples include the Mona Lisa's smile, the disappearance of the plane, and the enigma of the Bermuda Triangle. The phrase 'an enigma wrapped in a mystery' denotes something even more mysterious than the original mystery.