riddle
1 of 4noun (1)
riddle
2 of 4verb (1)
intransitive verb
transitive verb
riddle
3 of 4noun (2)
riddle
4 of 4verb (2)
transitive verb
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Riddle Me This
Riddle comes from an Old English word meaning "opinion" or "conjecture" that is related to a verb meaning "to interpret."
Synonyms
Noun (1)
- closed book
- conundrum
- enigma
- head-scratcher
- mystery
- mystification
- puzzle
- puzzlement
- secret
- why
Verb (2)
- bore
- drill
- hole
- perforate
- pierce
- punch
- puncture
Word History
Noun (1)
Middle English redels, ridel, from Old English rǣdelse opinion, conjecture, riddle; akin to Old English rǣdan to interpret — more at read
Noun (2)
Middle English ridel, going back to Old English hriddel (attested once), alteration (by dissimilation or suffix substitution) of hridder, hrīder, going back to Germanic *hrīdra- (whence also Old Saxon hrīdra "sieve," Old High German rītera), going back to Indo-European *krei̯(h1)̯-dhro- or *krei̯(h1)̯-tro- (whence Latin crībrum "sieve," Old Irish críathar, Old Welsh cruitr "winnowing fan"), from *krei̯(h1)- "sift, separate" + *-dhro-, *-tro-, suffixes of instrument — more at certain entry 1
Note: See note at acetabulum.
Noun (1)
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb (1)
1571, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense
Noun (2)
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above
Verb (2)
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
riddle 1 of 2
noun
riddle
2 of 2verb
riddle 1 of 2
noun
Synonyms & Similar Words
- mystery
- puzzle
- enigma
- conundrum
- secret
- problem
- mystification
- why
- puzzlement
- closed book
- brainteaser
- head-scratcher
- challenge
- stumper
- perplexity
- matter
- poser
- trouble
- case
- knot
riddle
2 of 2verb
Synonyms & Similar Words
- drill
- pierce
- hole
- punch
- puncture
- poke
- bore
- perforate
- cut
- tap
- penetrate
- hollow
- broach
- excavate
- break
- split
- prick
- slash
- groove
- slit
- prickle
- gash
- rupture
- rend
- burrow (into)
- gouge
- notch
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- patch
- fill
- seal
- plug
Synonyms & Similar Words
- penetrate
- suffuse
- interpenetrate
- flood
- pervade
- permeate
- percolate (into)
- impregnate
- transfuse
- diffuse (through)
- pass (into)
- fill (up)
- glut
- infuse
- steep
- imbue
- soak
- drench
- saturate
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of riddle are enigma, mystery, problem, and puzzle. While all these words mean "something which baffles or perplexes," riddle suggests an enigma or problem involving paradox or apparent contradiction.
While the synonyms enigma and riddle are close in meaning, enigma applies to utterance or behavior that is very difficult to interpret.
The words mystery and riddle are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mystery applies to what cannot be fully understood by reason or less strictly to whatever resists or defies explanation.
The synonyms problem and riddle are sometimes interchangeable, but problem applies to a question or difficulty calling for a solution or causing concern.
In some situations, the words puzzle and riddle are roughly equivalent. However, puzzle applies to an enigma or problem that challenges ingenuity for its solution.