enigmatic feeling

USAGE SUMMARY

"enigmatic feeling" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to describe something that is mysterious, perplexing, or difficult to understand. For example, "The painting evoked an enigmatic feeling in me, as though the artist was trying to tell me something that I couldn't figure out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Very few artists in recent years have so powerfully dealt with deep, enigmatic feeling.

The Guardian - Arts

Before that, the sloped-and-pointed symbol was used to decorate manuscripts, but it typically represented a leaf, not the profound and enigmatic feeling of romantic love.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

I have a feeling from that enigmatic look in his face that he has also got something in reserve he is not telling me about yet.

The Guardian

Novelists long ago recognised this truth; literature is full of characters falling in love with the people in paintings, obsessing over enigmatic figures, feeling intimidated – or intensely disappointed, in the case of Madame Bovary – by their first sighting of a tarry old master.

The Guardian - Arts

The paintings have the visually mesmerizing effect of Op Art, while the blurry illusionism conveys something more resonantly enigmatic: the awesome feeling of what has lately been called "the technological sublime".

The New York Times

She's enigmatic and hides her feelings.

The Guardian - Arts

Her lanky limbs and fierce features, the peculiar mystery that her body and presence evoke, give the viewer the exciting feeling of pushing beyond an enigmatic exterior.

The New Yorker

Despite the closeness with which we observe Ann, however, her feelings and actions still seem enigmatic as well.

Huffington Post

It was a typical enigmatic remark from a casting director who said "gut feeling" was the root of his craft.

Los Angeles Times

With his enigmatic, sci-fi panoramas, Tsukuda fully intends to raise questions and invoke strong feelings: "The concept for this work comes out of the idea of interchanging various objects with one another and exploring that interaction.

Vice

With its clanging lyrical references to Warhol, you get the feeling that Product thinks it's in a grand tradition of idiosyncratic, arty and enigmatic pop detournements that includes the work of the KLF, ZTT Records and the Flying Lizards.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "enigmatic feeling" to describe a sense that is both profound and difficult to fully grasp. For example, it can be used to describe the feeling evoked by a piece of art or a complex situation.

Common error

Avoid using "enigmatic feeling" to describe simple or easily understood emotions. The term is most effective when applied to feelings that are genuinely complex and mysterious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "enigmatic feeling" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "enigmatic" modifies the noun "feeling". According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and used to describe a complex emotional state.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "enigmatic feeling" is a grammatically sound and understandable way to describe a complex and mysterious emotion. While not exceedingly common, as confirmed by Ludwig, it effectively communicates a sense of something profound that is difficult to fully grasp. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, "enigmatic feeling" is best employed when aiming to convey a sense of puzzling emotion. Remember to avoid using this phrase in overly simplistic or easily understood contexts. Alternatives such as "mysterious emotion" or "puzzling sensation" might be more suitable depending on the specific nuance you intend to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mysterious emotion

Replaces "enigmatic" with "mysterious", emphasizing the unknown nature of the feeling.

puzzling sensation

Substitutes both words to highlight confusion associated with the feeling.

unfathomable emotion

Replaces "enigmatic" with "unfathomable", stressing the feeling's depth and difficulty to understand.

obscure sentiment

Changes both words to imply a vague or unclear feeling.

inscrutable sensation

Uses "inscrutable" instead of "enigmatic", focusing on the feeling being impossible to interpret.

ambiguous feeling

Replaces "enigmatic" with "ambiguous", suggesting the feeling has multiple possible meanings.

cryptic emotion

Substitutes "enigmatic" with "cryptic", implying the feeling is hidden or coded.

perplexing emotion

Changes "enigmatic" to "perplexing", highlighting the feeling's confusing nature.

peculiar feeling

Replaces "enigmatic" with "peculiar", emphasizing the unusual or strange quality of the feeling.

unexplainable sensation

Substitutes both words to focus on the impossibility of describing the feeling.

FAQs

How can I use "enigmatic feeling" in a sentence?

You can use "enigmatic feeling" to describe a mysterious or difficult-to-understand emotion. For example, "The film left me with an "enigmatic feeling" that lingered long after I left the theater."

What are some alternatives to "enigmatic feeling"?

Some alternatives to "enigmatic feeling" include "mysterious emotion", "puzzling sensation", or "unfathomable emotion" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "enigmatic feeling" a common phrase?

According to Ludwig, "enigmatic feeling" is an uncommon phrase but grammatically correct and understandable. You might consider alternatives if you're aiming for more frequent language.

What does "enigmatic" mean in the context of "enigmatic feeling"?

In this context, "enigmatic" suggests that the feeling is mysterious, puzzling, and difficult to fully understand or explain. It implies that the feeling has a hidden or obscure quality.