Enigmatic

/ˌɛnɪɡˈmætɪk/ adj

Definition

Mysterious and difficult to interpret — someone or something that invites curiosity but deflects understanding.

Etymology

From Greek ainigmatikos, from ainigma (riddle). The Mona Lisa's smile is described as enigmatic more than any other adjective. Da Vinci achieved with paint what the word achieves with sound: an invitation to look closer that never resolves.

Kelly Says

The most enigmatic things are not the ones hiding something — they are the ones showing everything and still being unclear. A clear sky is not enigmatic. A smile that could mean anything is. Mystery comes from excess possibility, not absence.

Translations

ESEspañol
enigmático
PTPortuguês
enigmático
ZH中文
神秘的
ARالعربية
غامض
FRFrançais
énigmatique
SWKiswahili
ya fumbo
HIहिन्दी
रहस्यमय
JA日本語
謎めいた

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.