First Known Use: 1645
Dictionary
conundrum
noun co·nun·drum \kə-ˈnən-drəm\
: a confusing or difficult problem
Full Definition of CONUNDRUM
1
: a riddle whose answer is or involves a pun
2
a : a question or problem having only a conjectural answer b : an intricate and difficult problem
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Examples of CONUNDRUM
- … giving parents a wealth of educational options sometimes presents a familiar inner-city conundrum: What if all your choices are bad ones? —Katherine Boo, New Yorker, 9 Apr. 2001
- Mention of poor eyes and good eyes brings me to the creationist's favorite conundrum. What is the use of half an eye? —Richard Dawkins, River Out of Eden, 1995
- The explanation of this conundrum is to be heard, at this very moment, on certain surreptitious radio waves, on which the voice of the American convert Bilal is … transmuted into the thunderous speech of the Imam himself. —Salman Rushdie, Harper's, December 1988
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Origin of CONUNDRUM
origin unknown
Related to CONUNDRUM
- Synonyms
- closed book, mystery, enigma, head-scratcher, mystification, puzzle, puzzlement, riddle, secret
CONUNDRUM Defined for Kids
conundrum
noun co·nun·drum \kə-ˈnən-drəm\
Definition of CONUNDRUM for Kids
: 1riddle 1
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