sphinx

noun

ˈsfiŋ(k)s 

plural sphinxes or sphinges ˈsfin-ˌjēz 

1

a

capitalized : a winged female monster in Greek mythology having a woman's head and a lion's body and noted for killing anyone unable to answer its riddle

b

: an enigmatic or mysterious person

she is a sphinx whose features hold a blank fascination

2

: an ancient Egyptian image in the form of a recumbent lion having a man's head, a ram's head, or a hawk's head

sphinxlike

ˈsfiŋ(k)s-ˌlīk 

adjective

Examples of sphinx in a Sentence

a statue of the Sphinx

Recent Examples on the Web

One breed that does need the occasional bath is the sphinx, which, according to an article by Pango Vet, medically reviewed by Dr. Nia Perkins, needs help removing dirt and oils from their skin every now and then. —Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024

The face of the Egyptian sphinx, Selzer says, looks like Mikhail Gorbachev. —Marianne Mather, Chicago Tribune, 24 Oct. 2024

The ancient site shared more features with the temple described in the Book of Kings than any uncovered before or since, including walls carved in reliefs of lions and cherubs, a courtyard paved in flagstones, a monumental staircase guarded by sphinxes and a multistory hallway. —Shoshi Parks, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Sep. 2024

As a news photographer, Herbert Gehr had seen a lot — wars, Egyptian sphinxes, heads of state, movie stars, and a slew of celebrities. —Mara Bovsun, New York Daily News, 28 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from Greek Sphinx, Sphix

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing sphinx

• sphinx moth

Kids Definition

sphinx

noun

ˈsfiŋ(k)s 

plural sphinxes or sphinges ˈsfin-ˌjēz 

: an ancient Egyptian image having the body of a lion and the head of a man, ram, or hawk