Basic Details
Word: Enigma
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Something that is mysterious or hard to understand.
Synonyms: Mystery, puzzle, riddle
Antonyms: Clarity, solution, explanation
Idioms and Phrases
- To be an enigma wrapped in a riddle: To be very mysterious or difficult to understand. Example: "His behaviour at the party was an enigma wrapped in a riddle, leaving everyone confused."
- The enigma of the Sphinx: A reference to a riddle that was famously unsolvable. Example: "The enigma of the Sphinx challenges many, much like the puzzling questions we face in exams."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The old manuscript contained an enigma that scholars have tried to decipher for centuries.
Example 2: Her decision to move abroad is still an enigma to her friends.
Example 3: The disappearance of the ancient civilisation remains a fascinating enigma for historians.
Fun Fact
Did you know that the word "enigma" comes from the Greek word "ainigma," which means "riddle" or "obscure utterance"? It has been used in English since the 14th century.
Famous Quote
"The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion that stands at the cradle of true art and true science." Albert Einstein
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "enigma" mean?
a) Something obvious
b) Something that is mysterious or hard to understand
c) A type of animal
d) A device for measuring time
Answer: b) Something that is mysterious or hard to understand
2. Which of these is a synonym of "enigma"?
a) Clarity
b) Puzzle
c) Solution
d) Explanation
Answer: b) Puzzle
3. What is the antonym of "enigma"?
a) Mystery
b) Riddle
c) Clarity
d) Puzzle
Answer: c) Clarity
4. Which sentence uses "enigma" correctly?
a) The enigma of the game was easy to solve.
b) Everyone understood the enigma of the story.
c) The scientist struggled with a great enigma in his research.
d) The enigma was made of simple shapes.
Answer: c) The scientist struggled with a great enigma in his research.
5. Which idiom relates to the word "enigma"?
a) As clear as day
b) To be an enigma wrapped in a riddle
c) A piece of cake
d) Like finding a needle in a haystack
Answer: b) To be an enigma wrapped in a riddle
