adj
enigmatic
eh-nihg-MA-tihk
Enigmatic (adj) means Difficult to interpret or understand; mysterious. Example: “He gave an enigmatic smile and said nothing more.”
adj
1
Difficult to interpret or understand; mysterious.
"Serene, smiling, enigmatic, she faced him with no fear whatever showing in her dark eyes. The clear light of the bright autumn morning had no terrors for youth and health like hers."
— Emerson Hough (1910)
"He gave an enigmatic smile and said nothing more."
"The artist was known for her enigmatic, dreamlike paintings."
How to use enigmatic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishPuzzling or mysterious in a way that's hard to pin down.
Common pairings
enigmatic smile
enigmatic figure
remain enigmatic
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more enigmatic
- Superlative
- most enigmatic
Fill the gap
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He gave an _____ smile and said nothing more.
Etymology
From Ancient Greek ainigmatikos, related to ainigma, "riddle".
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for enigmatic
See all rhymes for enigmatic →Frequently asked questions
What does “enigmatic” mean?
The word “enigmatic” means difficult to interpret or understand; mysterious. In plain terms, puzzling or mysterious in a way that's hard to pin down.
How do you pronounce “enigmatic”?
“Enigmatic” is pronounced eh-nihg-MA-tihk (/ˌɛnɪɡˈmætɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “enigmatic” in a sentence?
Here is “enigmatic” used in a sentence: “He gave an enigmatic smile and said nothing more.”
What part of speech is “enigmatic”?
“Enigmatic” is an adjective.
Where does the word “enigmatic” come from?
The word “enigmatic” comes from Ancient Greek. From Ancient Greek ainigmatikos, related to ainigma, "riddle".
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