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-

Synonyms of enigmatic next

: 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

Examples of enigmatic in a Sentence

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Häagen-Dazs More News: Cowboys' Jerry Jones Set to Bring Back Mike McCarthy as Head Coach Häagen-Dazs, the premium ice cream brand with the pseudo-European name, has joined the Super Bowl ad club for the first time ever and dropped an enigmatic teaser featuring...a Chevy. —

Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025 Echevarría also had turns as the enigmatic British agent Raoul, who doubles as the manager of a Havana cigar factory, in the James Bond film Die Another Day (2002), and as Mexican president Antonio López de Santa Anna in John Lee Hancock’s The Alamo (2004). —

Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Jan. 2025 For this enigmatic bird, storms aren’t a threat to evade but a ticket to their next meal. —

Scott Travers, Forbes, 4 Jan. 2025 For me, the film provided a welcome excuse to read up on Dylan, who has always been a reputable source of enjoyably gnomic quotes, self-mythologizing, and enigmatic asides. —

Nate Anderson, Ars Technica, 4 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for enigmatic