Word of the Day - 09/28/26
enigmatic
/,ɛnɪɡ'mætɪk/(adj.): hard to understand or explain
The scientist's enigmatic theory left everyone struggling to understand how it worked.
(adj.): mysterious
The stranger gave me an enigmatic smile before disappearing into the crowd.
Word Origin
The word 'enigmatic' is formed from 'enigma' and the suffix '-tic'. 'Enigma' originates from the Greek word 'ainigma' (αἴνιγμα), meaning 'a riddle', which is derived from 'ainissesthai' (αἰνίσσεσθαι), 'to speak in riddles', ultimately from 'ainos' (αἶνος), 'fable, story'. This Greek term passed into Latin as 'aenigma'. The suffix '-tic' is an adjective-forming suffix from Greek '-tikos' or Latin '-ticus'.