enigmatic

adjective

enig·mat·ic ˌe-(ˌ)nig-ˈma-tik

also ˌē-(ˌ)nig-

variants or less commonly enigmatical

ˌe-(ˌ)nig-ˈma-ti-kəl

also ˌē-(ˌ)nig-

: of, relating to, or resembling an enigma : mysterious

enigmatically

ˌe-(ˌ)nig-ˈma-ti-k(ə-)lē

also ˌē-(ˌ)nig-

adverb

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The Origin of Enigmatic Isn't a Mystery

An enigma is a puzzle, a riddle, a mystery. The adjective enigmatic describes what is hard to solve or figure out. An enigmatic person is someone who is a bit mysterious to others. Behind an enigmatic smile are thoughts impossible to guess. The word enigma originally referred not to people or smiles but to words, and specifically to words that formed a riddle or a complicated metaphor that tested one's alertness and cleverness. This meaning is clearly connected to the word's origin. Enigma comes from the Greek word ainissesthai, meaning "to speak in riddles."

Choose the Right Synonym for enigmatic

obscure, dark, vague, enigmatic, cryptic, ambiguous, equivocal mean not clearly understandable.

obscure implies a hiding or veiling of meaning through some inadequacy of expression or withholding of full knowledge.

obscure poems

dark implies an imperfect or clouded revelation often with ominous or sinister suggestion.

muttered dark hints of revenge

vague implies a lack of clear formulation due to inadequate conception or consideration.

a vague sense of obligation

enigmatic stresses a puzzling, mystifying quality.

enigmatic occult writings

cryptic implies a purposely concealed meaning.

cryptic hints of hidden treasure

ambiguous applies to language capable of more than one interpretation.

an ambiguous directive

equivocal applies to language left open to differing interpretations with the intention of deceiving or evading.

moral precepts with equivocal phrasing

Example Sentences

Space seethes with an enormous enigmatic energy, and, each second, trillions of cubic light-years more of it materializes from nothingness.

Bob Berman, Astronomy, November 2007 You'll recognize them by their enigmatic smile and faraway look as they jog, skate, commute, or wander the aisles of the supermarket.

Consumer Reports, December 2005 Despite all that has been written—and surmised—about him, Bill Gates remains the enigmatic ringmaster of the digital circus.

J. D. Reed, People, 15 Mar. 1999 the discovery of the abandoned ship in mid ocean remains one of the most enigmatic episodes in seafaring history the Mona Lisa's enigmatic smile

Recent Examples on the Web In the dark comedy thriller (in theaters Friday), Anya Taylor-Joy plays an enigmatic young woman named Margot who accompanies her foodie boyfriend (Nicholas Hoult) to an exclusive restaurant run by a menacing celebrity chef (Ralph Fiennes).

Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 16 Nov. 2022 Self-aware, compelling and enigmatic, Lana has a way of easily slipping between worlds — but this ability comes with a complicated reality of its own.

Lesley Goldberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Oct. 2022 XXFugitive Lin Ford looks to get lost in chaotic 1980s Bombay; alone in an unfamiliar city, Lin struggles to avoid trouble but falls for an enigmatic woman and must choose between freedom and love and the complications that come with it.

Travis Bean, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2022 One explanation at the time for the enigmatic footprints was that they had been made by a bear walking on two feet, although Leakey had wondered if they were left by a hominin with an irregular gait.

Katie Hunt, CNN, 1 Dec. 2021 Whereas Santa Claus has an extremely rich and detailed backstory (North Pole, elves, Mrs. Claus, sleigh, chimney, reindeer, and so on), the tooth fairy is a much more enigmatic magical creature.

Lucas Kavner, The New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2022 No man, not even the famously enigmatic Bob Dylan, can be an enigma to his biographer.

Bethanne Patrick, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2022 Daniel Radcliffe just finally gives up and plays the boy wizard again, in a film that dares to answer one of the Wizarding World's most enigmatic questions: Just what was going on at Hufflepuff while everything else was going on everywhere else?

Ew Staff, EW.com, 29 Sep. 2022 It’s one of the most enigmatic WWII sites given its remoteness.

Morgan Krakow, Anchorage Daily News, 13 Aug. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'enigmatic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.