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Riddle: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿค”
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riddle

 

[ หˆrษชdl ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

puzzle solving

A riddle is a type of puzzle that consists of a question or statement to be solved or answered, often requiring creativity and critical thinking. Riddles can be found in various cultures and have been used throughout history to entertain and challenge people's minds.

Synonyms

brainteaser, enigma, puzzle.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
riddle

Riddles are typically used as a form of entertainment, often requiring lateral thinking to find the answer. They are common in games, books, and folklore.

  • Can you solve this riddle: What has keys but can't open locks?
  • The Sphinx asked Oedipus a famous riddle: 'What walks on four legs in the morning, two legs in the afternoon, and three legs in the evening?'
puzzle

Puzzles are problems or games that require ingenuity and patience to solve. They can come in many forms, such as jigsaw puzzles, crosswords, or logical conundrums.

  • She spent the weekend working on a 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle.
  • The crossword puzzle in today's newspaper is incredibly difficult.
brainteaser

Brainteasers are challenging questions or problems designed to stimulate cognitive thinking. They are often used for fun, educational purposes, or cognitive training.

  • This brainteaser will really make you think: How many times can you subtract 10 from 100?
  • She loves doing brainteasers to keep her mind sharp.
enigma

An enigma typically refers to something that is mysterious, difficult to understand, or inexplicable. It is often used in more serious or formal contexts.

  • The disappearance of Amelia Earhart remains an enigma to this day.
  • He is an enigma; no one really knows much about his past.

Examples of usage

  • The Sphinx's riddle in Greek mythology challenged Oedipus to solve it in order to enter the city of Thebes.
  • Can you solve this riddle: I speak without a mouth and hear without ears. I have no body, but I come alive with the wind. What am I?
  • Riddles are often used in children's books to engage young readers and stimulate their problem-solving skills.

Translations

Translations of the word "riddle" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น enigma

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคชเคนเฅ‡เคฒเฅ€

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Rรคtsel

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ teka-teki

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะทะฐะณะฐะดะบะฐ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ zagadka

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ่ฌŽ (nazo)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท รฉnigme

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ acertijo

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท bilmece

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์ˆ˜์ˆ˜๊ป˜๋ผ (susukkekki)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู„ุบุฒ (lughz)

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ hรกdanka

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ hรกdanka

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ่ฐœ่ฏญ (mรญyว”)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ uganka

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ gรกta

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะถาฑะผะฑะฐา›

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒแƒ›แƒแƒชแƒแƒœแƒ (amotsana)

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ tapmaca

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ acertijo

Etymology

The word 'riddle' has roots in Old English 'rวฃdels' meaning 'counsel, opinion'. Over time, it evolved to refer to a type of puzzle or mystery. Riddles have been a part of human culture for centuries, with early examples found in ancient civilizations like the Sumerians and Babylonians. Riddles were often used as a form of entertainment and intellectual challenge.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #15,613, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.