conundrum
Americannoun
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a riddle, the answer to which involves a pun or play on words, as What is black and white and read all over? A newspaper.
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anything that puzzles.
noun
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a riddle, esp one whose answer makes a play on words
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a puzzling question or problem
Etymology
Origin of conundrum
First recorded in 1590–1600; pseudo-Latin word of obscure origin
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Perhaps the biggest conundrum the head coach has been left with after this camp is up front.
From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026
"Until recently, while stellar rotation was thought to be part of solving this conundrum, limited computing abilities prevented us from quantitatively testing the hypothesis," says Falk Herwig, principal investigator and director of ARC.
From Science Daily • Mar. 24, 2026
That presents the Fed with a classic conundrum, especially given its dual mandate of maintaining maximum employment and low inflation.
From Barron's • Mar. 20, 2026
And while so many people out there would love to find themselves with an extra $21,000, I understand your conundrum.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 16, 2026
Vivid to me, and a seeming conundrum, was the refusal of my inmate to submit to a strip-frisk.
From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
