head-scratcher

noun

head-scratch·​er ˈhed-ËŒskra-chÉ™r How to pronounce head-scratcher (audio)
plural head-scratchers
informal
: something that is confusing, mysterious, or hard to understand
We love college football for nothing if not the belief—hope even—that at any moment the unexpected could happen. Young as it is, this season has already provided its share of jaw-droppers and head-scratchers.Holly Anderson

Examples of head-scratcher in a Sentence

why he chose to sink all of his money into a failing business is a real head-scratcher
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Oregon State had lost five straight games, most recently a 28-0 head-scratcher against Air Force. Stewart Mandel, The Athletic, 24 Nov. 2024 At the time, the barrage of disses were a head-scratcher to some, since Drizzy had worked with all parties in the past, even if some of those relationships had sometimes run hot and cold. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 21 Nov. 2024 As always, there are still head-scratchers, like big nominations for the Beatles and Jacob Collier. Justin Curto, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024 But many of those 10 state propositions are head-scratchers. George Skelton, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for head-scratcher 

Word History

First Known Use

1902, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of head-scratcher was in 1902

Dictionary Entries Near head-scratcher

Cite this Entry

“Head-scratcher.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/head-scratcher. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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