enigmatic

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "enigmatic" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this word to describe someone or something as mysterious, puzzling, or difficult to understand. Example sentence: "He had an enigmatic presence that left everyone in the room wondering what he was thinking."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's enigmatic and open to interpretation, and is the cover that works so well for The Endless River".

The Guardian - Music

Consequently, while we all think we know what fantastic pancakes are, in reality the pancake remains enigmatic.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They were just featured on label/blog Neon Gold, bearing instead of a photo of the band an image of some nuns in masks in keeping with the enigmatic religiosity of their name.

The Guardian - Music

His misgivings about what the Islamic State has become led him to speak to the Guardian in a series of expansive conversations, which offer unique insight into its enigmatic leader and the nascent days of the terror group – stretching from 2004, when he met Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in Camp Bucca, to 2011, when the Iraqi insurgency crossed the border into Syria.

The Guardian

Smyth, whose face is normally so easy to read looks suddenly enigmatic, his smile mixed in with something more vague.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The word most people settled for in trying to describe Enoch Powell, who has died aged 85, was - leaving out the ruder ones - enigmatic.

The Guardian

Now a rare film of the enigmatic writer will bring Saint-Exupéry back to life when it is auctioned at Sotheby's next month.

The Guardian

Six months after he stood down as Lib Dem leader, Kennedy was asked on Question Time if he would ever attempt to return to the position – and refused to rule out the move with this enigmatic response: The one thing we can all be sure about in politics is you are as well to expect the unexpected.

The Guardian

Mid-afternoon, you're more likely to look like an enigmatic stranger caught between appointments.

The Guardian - Travel

20,000 Days on Earth, about the enigmatic musician and Bad Seeds frontman Nick Cave, also received three nominations, including best documentary and best debut director for Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard, who co-wrote and directed the film.

The Guardian - Film

"He was an enigmatic character – conflicted.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "enigmatic", consider the level of formality required by your audience. It fits well in academic, journalistic, and literary contexts, enhancing the sophisticated tone of your writing. Avoid overuse in casual conversations.

Common error

Avoid using "enigmatic" interchangeably with words like "vague" or "complex". "Enigmatic" implies a deliberate sense of mystery or inexplicability, whereas "vague" suggests a lack of clarity, and "complex" suggests something is intricate or has many parts. Use "enigmatic" only when a sense of mystification is intended.

Linguistic Context

The word "enigmatic" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something or someone as mysterious, puzzling, or difficult to interpret. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Examples show it effectively attributes a quality of mystification.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "enigmatic" functions as an adjective that describes something or someone as mysterious or difficult to understand. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English. This analysis reveals that "enigmatic" frequently appears in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, suggesting a level of formality. To enhance your writing, consider using "enigmatic" when you want to evoke intrigue or intellectual curiosity, but be careful not to confuse it with words like "vague" or "complex". Alternatives such as "mysterious", "puzzling", and "inscrutable" can also serve in similar contexts, depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mysterious

Focuses on the quality of being difficult to understand or explain; emphasizes secrecy or obscurity.

puzzling

Highlights the characteristic of causing confusion or difficulty in understanding.

inscrutable

Emphasizes the quality of being impossible to interpret or understand.

cryptic

Indicates a hidden or ambiguous meaning, often requiring interpretation.

unfathomable

Stresses the idea of being incapable of being fully explored or understood.

perplexing

Highlights the aspect of causing someone to feel completely baffled.

obscure

Focuses on the quality of being not easily understood or clearly expressed.

ambiguous

Emphasizes the quality of being open to more than one interpretation.

equivocal

Indicates uncertainty or a deliberate use of vague language.

arcane

Stresses the notion of being understood by few; mysterious or secret.

FAQs

How can I use "enigmatic" in a sentence?

You can use "enigmatic" to describe something mysterious or difficult to understand. For example, "The Mona Lisa's smile is famously enigmatic."

What's the difference between "enigmatic" and "mysterious"?

"Enigmatic" often implies a deliberate obscurity, whereas "mysterious" simply means difficult to understand or explain.

What can I say instead of "enigmatic"?

You can use alternatives like "puzzling", "inscrutable", or "cryptic" depending on the context.

Is "enigmatic" formal or informal?

"Enigmatic" is generally considered a formal word, suitable for academic, journalistic, and literary contexts. It's less common in casual conversation.