riddle

1 of 4

noun (1)

rid·​dle ˈri-dᵊl 

1

: a mystifying, misleading, or puzzling question posed as a problem to be solved or guessed : conundrum, enigma

2

: something or someone difficult to understand

riddle

2 of 4

verb (1)

riddled; riddling ˈrid-liŋ 

ˈri-dᵊl-iŋ

intransitive verb

: to speak in or propound riddles

transitive verb

1

: to find the solution of : explain

2

: to set a riddle for : puzzle

riddler

ˈrid-lər 

ˈri-dᵊl-ər

noun

riddle

3 of 4

noun (2)

: a coarse sieve

riddle

4 of 4

verb (2)

riddled; riddling ˈrid-liŋ 

ˈri-dᵊl-iŋ

transitive verb

1

: to separate (something, such as grain from chaff) with a riddle : screen

2

: to pierce with many holes

riddled the car with bullets

3

: to spread through : permeate

a book riddled with errors

Did you know?

Riddle Me This

Riddle comes from an Old English word meaning "opinion" or "conjecture" that is related to a verb meaning "to interpret."

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• closed book
• conundrum
• enigma
• head-scratcher
• mystery
• mystification
• puzzle
• puzzlement
• secret
• why

Verb (2)

• bore
• drill
• hole
• perforate
• pierce
• punch
• puncture

Choose the Right Synonym for riddle

mystery, problem, enigma, riddle, puzzle mean something which baffles or perplexes.

mystery applies to what cannot be fully understood by reason or less strictly to whatever resists or defies explanation.

the mystery of the stone monoliths

problem applies to a question or difficulty calling for a solution or causing concern.

problems created by high technology

enigma applies to utterance or behavior that is very difficult to interpret.

his suicide remains an enigma

riddle suggests an enigma or problem involving paradox or apparent contradiction.

the riddle of the reclusive pop star

puzzle applies to an enigma or problem that challenges ingenuity for its solution.

the thief's motives were a puzzle for the police

Examples of riddle in a Sentence

Noun (1)

his motives for starting an argument with the coach were a complete riddle

Verb (2)

several signs along the highway were riddled by buckshot

the newspaper exposé revealed a gaming commission that is riddled with corruption

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Outside of the tech industry, employees have been trying to help their peers outsmart the interview process by sharing thorny questions on the likes of Glassdoor: Fortune was able to find many of the quirky riddles Goldman Sachs asks its candidates on the careers platform. —Alena Botros, Fortune, 1 Nov. 2024

Fans will be tasked with solving puzzles and riddles in an escape room based on the businessman’s life. —Marc Griffin, VIBE.com, 15 Oct. 2024

Verb

Now his dark curls are riddled with silver, and Ethan’s olive skin complains about life. —Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 1 Nov. 2024

All the details — the Nancy Myers beach house, the Ouija board horror house, the fairy tale castle — came from pop-culture details riddled around Billy’s impeccably tidy bedroom. —Adam B. Vary, Variety, 31 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English redels, ridel, from Old English rǣdelse opinion, conjecture, riddle; akin to Old English rǣdan to interpret — more at read

Noun (2)

Middle English ridel, going back to Old English hriddel (attested once), alteration (by dissimilation or suffix substitution) of hridder, hrīder, going back to Germanic *hrīdra- (whence also Old Saxon hrīdra "sieve," Old High German rītera), going back to Indo-European *krei̯(h₁)̯-dhro- or *krei̯(h₁)̯-tro- (whence Latin crībrum "sieve," Old Irish críathar, Old Welsh cruitr "winnowing fan"), from *krei̯(h₁)- "sift, separate" + *-dhro-, *-tro-, suffixes of instrument — more at certain entry 1

Note: See note at acetabulum.

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

1571, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun (2)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Kids Definition

riddle

1 of 4 noun

rid·​dle ˈrid-ᵊl 

1

: a baffling, misleading, or puzzling question presented as a problem to be solved or guessed : conundrum

2

: something or someone difficult to understand

riddle

2 of 4 verb

riddled; riddling ˈrid-liŋ 

-ᵊl-iŋ

1

: to find the answer for a riddle or mystery

2

: to create a riddle for : mystify

3

: to speak in riddles

riddler

-lər 

-ᵊl-ər

noun

riddle

3 of 4 noun

: a coarse sieve

riddle

4 of 4 verb

riddled; riddling ˈrid-liŋ 

-ᵊl-iŋ

1

: to sift or separate with or as if with a riddle

2

a

: to pierce with many holes

riddled the car with bullets

b

: to spread through

a book riddled with mistakes

Etymology

Noun

Old English rǣdelse "opinion, riddle"

Noun

Old English hriddel "a coarse sieve"