enigmatic
/ˌɛnɪɡˈmætɪk/
Group 5Difficulty 2/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Difficult to interpret or understand; mysterious GRE
Example in Context
The artist's enigmatic final work has been the subject of scholarly debate for decades, with no consensus emerging on its meaning.
Synonyms
puzzlingmysteriouscryptic
Etymology
Pertaining to something that is like a riddle or mystery.
- aenigma (Greek) — riddle
Memory Aid
🧩Sounds like “any gig mat”
Imagine a mysterious mat that makes you laugh at EVERY GIG — it’s ENIGMATIC!
Visual Association
🔮A swirling mist shrouding a mysterious figure, leaving a sense of intrigue and uncertainty.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “enigmatic” mean on the GRE?
enigmatic (adjective) means “Difficult to interpret or understand; mysterious”. The artist's enigmatic final work has been the subject of scholarly debate for decades, with no consensus emerging on its meaning.
How to remember “enigmatic” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “enigmatic” sounds like “any gig mat”. Imagine a mysterious mat that makes you laugh at EVERY GIG — it’s ENIGMATIC!
What are synonyms for “enigmatic”?
Common synonyms: puzzling, mysterious, cryptic.