Definition of riddle - Reverso English Dictionary
Noun
1.
brain teaserpuzzle or question designed to test ingenuity
- She enjoyed solving the riddle presented in the game..
2.
confusing situationsomething that is confusing or ambiguous
- The plot of the novel was a riddle to most readers..
3.
siftingDated UK coarse sieve used for separating materialsDated UK
- The farmer used a riddle to separate the grain.
Verb
1.
puzzle solvingsolve or explain a puzzle
- She managed to riddle the mystery in no time.
2.
sievingDated sift or separate using a sieveDated
- They riddled the sand to remove debris.
3.
piercingRare perforate with many holesRare
- The wall was riddled with bullet holes.
Images of riddle
coarse sieve used for separating materials
Expressions with riddle
💡 Discover popular phrases, idioms, collocations, or phrasal verbs. Click any expression to learn more, listen to its pronunciation, or save it to your favorites.
contain many problems, errors, or undesirable things
The report was riddle with mistakes.
highlight an illogical situation
Riddle me this: Why is the sky blue?
make something full of holes or flaws
The report was riddled with holes and inaccuracies.
something very mysterious and hidden
The old manuscript was a riddle wrapped in an enigma.
something extremely difficult to understand or explain
The ancient manuscript was a riddle wrapped in a mystery.
something extremely complex or difficult to understand
The ancient manuscript was a riddle wrapped in a puzzle.
mysterious person or thing difficult to understand or explain
He is a riddle wrapped up in an enigma to everyone.
collection of themed puzzles or riddles
The book includes a riddle canon for enthusiasts.
challenge someone to explain something puzzling
If the keys vanished, riddle me that!
Origin of riddle
Old English, rǣdels (counsel, opinion)
Terms with riddle included in their meaning
💡 A powerful way to uncover related words, idioms, and expressions linked by the same idea — and explore meaning beyond exact word matches.
brain teaser
difficult problem or riddle
riddle
question asked for amusement, typically one with a pun in its answer
Zen Buddhism
Zen story or riddle for meditation
paradox
riddle with no logical solution
literature
interpret or explain a riddle or dream
riddle solver
person who solves riddles
games
ask someone to solve a riddle or puzzle
Examples of riddle in a sentence
He posed a riddle that no one could solve. The mystery was a riddle that no one could solve. Her motives remained a riddle to her friends. Miners used a riddle to sift valuable ores. Gardeners often employ a riddle for compost preparation. He tried to riddle the ancient code.
They gathered to riddle the complex enigma. Farmers riddled the soil to prepare for planting. The chef riddled the flour to ensure a smooth batter. The old ship was riddled with rust. The cheese was riddled with tiny holes.
View all translations of riddle
Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
- French:énigme, résoudre, ...
- German:Rätsel, lösen, ...
- Italian:indovinello, risolvere, ...
- Spanish:enigma, resolver, ...
- Portuguese:enigma, resolver, ...
- Chinese:谜语, 解开, ...
- Japanese:なぞなぞ, 解く, ...
- Arabic:لُغْز, حَلَّ, ...
- Hebrew:חִידָה, לִפְתּוֹר חִידָה, ...
- Russian:загадка, разгадать, ...
- Ukrainian:загадка, розгадувати, ...
- Hindi:पहेली, सुलझाना, ...
icon to discover related terms: analogies, antonyms, common collocates, words with same roots, umbrella terms… Try with happening or hunch.
icon next to the first example to see two additional options and learn to use new vocabulary naturally.
icon to save words you want to revisit. You can also save a specific meaning by clicking on the