riddle

Meaning

Noun

1. A verbal puzzle, mystery, or other problem of an intellectual nature.
2. An ancient verbal, poetic, or literary form, in which, rather than a rhyme scheme, there are parallel opposing expressions with a hidden meaning.

Verb

1. To speak ambiguously or enigmatically.
2. (transitive) To solve, answer, or explicate a riddle or question.

Verb

1. To put something through a riddle or sieve; to sieve; to sift.
2. To fill with holes like a riddle.
3. (figuratively) To fill or spread throughout; to pervade (with something destructive or weakening).

Verb

To plait.

Synonyms

puzzle

enigma

conundrum

mystery

screen

problem

sift

sieve

allegory

poser

question

❓

penetrate

quiz

brain-teaser

parable

fable

jigsaw puzzle

🧩

story

trouble

diffuse

engima

sifter

make holes

interpenetrate

imbue

bore

guess

puncture

puzzler

fairy tale

permeate

pervade

example

churn

drill

dredge

charade

bewilder

dispute

disorient

broach

disconcert

mix up

discomfit

bemuse

anomaly

mesh

muddle

matter

discombobulate

Translations

devinette

Rätsel

énigme

indovinello

raadsel

puzzle

🧩

enigma

enigma

adivinanza

acertijo

αίνιγμα

puzzel

enigma

crivello

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈɹɪdəl/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: redel

Inherited from Old English: rǣdels

Cognate with Old English: rǣdan

Inherited from Middle English: riddil

Inherited from Old English: hriddel

Cognate with German: Reiter

Cognate with Old Norse: hreinn

Cognate with Old High German: hreini

Cognate with Gothic: 𐌷𐍂𐌰𐌹𐌽𐍃

In summary

From Middle English redel, redels, from Old English rǣdels, rǣdelse (“counsel, opinion, imagination, riddle”), from Proto-West Germanic *rādislī (“counsel, conjecture”). Analyzable as rede (“advice”) + -le. Akin to Old English rǣdan (“to read, advise, interpret”). Cognate with Dutch raadsel, German Rätsel.