enigma

[ɪˈnɪɡmə]

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

Antonyms for enigma

Idioms Using enigma

  • something that is very difficult to understand or explain

    Example

    Her behavior is a mystery wrapped in an enigma; no one knows what she's thinking.

  • to be something that someone cannot understand or explain

    Example

    The workings of the stock market are an enigma to most people.

  • to figure out or understand something that was previously a mystery

    Example

    It took years to solve the enigma of the lost city, but finally, it was discovered.

Phrases with enigma

  • something that is even more mysterious than the original mystery

    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.

  • a machine used by the Germans during World War II to encrypt messages

    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'

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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.