riddle

1 of 6

noun (1)

rid·​dle ˈri-dᵊl How to pronounce riddle (audio)
Synonyms of riddlenext
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
the riddle of the origin of the universe
My father has always been a riddle to me.

riddle

2 of 6

verb (1)

riddled; riddling ˈri-dᵊl-iŋ How to pronounce riddle (audio)
ˈrid-liŋ

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
ˈri-dᵊl-ər How to pronounce riddle (audio)
ˈrid-lər
noun

riddle

3 of 6

noun (2)

: a coarse sieve

riddle

4 of 6

verb (2)

riddled; riddling ˈri-dᵊl-iŋ How to pronounce riddle (audio)
ˈrid-liŋ

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

riddler

5 of 6

noun (3)

rid·​dler ˈrid-lər How to pronounce riddler (audio)
ˈri-dᵊl-ər
plural -s
: one that propounds, speaks in, or tries to solve riddles

riddler

6 of 6

noun (4)

rid·​dler ˈrid-lər How to pronounce riddler (audio)
ˈri-dᵊl-ər
plural -s
: a worker who sifts with a riddle: such as
a
: one who screens cut tobacco to remove coarse pieces
b
: one who cleans metal parts by shaking them in a riddle to remove loose chips

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 of riddle

Relevance

Noun (1)

Verb (2)

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus
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
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.
Noun
This Father's Day, break out these silly (and slightly cringe-y) one-liners, puns, riddles, and jokes. — Jamie Fischer, Parents, 20 June 2026 London Falling is an investigation of an inexplicable death told through the lens of parents struggling to solve the riddle of who their son really was. — Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026
Verb
But local hoteliers say the proposal is riddled with problems, would unfairly impact hotels more than other businesses and might violate state law by applying flat fees to hotels instead of per-worker charges. — David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2026 Pool project has been plagued by problems The pool’s renovation has been riddled with problems. — Michael Kunzelman, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for riddle

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.

and Noun (3)

and Noun (4)

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of riddle was before the 12th century

Rhymes for riddle

See All Rhymes for riddle

Browse Nearby Words

ridder
riddle
riddle and shears
See all Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Riddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/riddle. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

riddle

1 of 4 noun
rid·​dle ˈrid-ᵊl How to pronounce riddle (audio)
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 How to pronounce riddle (audio)
-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 How to pronounce riddle (audio)
-ᵊl-ər
noun

riddle

3 of 4 noun
: a coarse sieve

riddle

4 of 4 verb
riddled; riddling ˈrid-liŋ How to pronounce riddle (audio)
-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"

More from Merriam-Webster on riddle

Nglish: Translation of riddle for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about riddle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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