Conundrum meaning

kə-nŭn'drəm
The definition of conundrum is a situation where there is no clear right answer or no good solution.

An example of a conundrum is a challenging riddle to which you can't figure out the answer.

noun
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3
A paradoxical, insoluble, or difficult problem; a dilemma.
noun
12
3
Any puzzling question or problem.
noun
10
2
A difficult choice or decision that must be made.
noun
8
2
A riddle whose answer contains a pun (Ex.: What's the difference between a jeweler and a jailer? One sells watches and the other watches cells.)
noun
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4
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A difficult question or riddle, especially one using a play on words in the answer.
noun
3
3
A riddle in which a fanciful question is answered by a pun.
noun
1
6

Origin of conundrum

  • Origin unknown
    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
  • A word of unknown origin, probably coined in burlesque imitation of scholastic Latin, as "hocus-pocus" or "panjandrum".
    From Wiktionary

Conundrum Sentence Examples

  • The use of protective clothing for farmers in Brazil presents a conundrum.

  • For the fashionable female, it can prove quite a conundrum finding that perfect outfit - the one that looks as effortlessly chic as possible but is sensible enough to wear in a hot climate.

  • While everyone knows that a website is an entrepreneurial necessity, figuring out what should go on small business web pages can be a much more difficult conundrum.

  • shepherd's pie would be a conundrum too far.

  • The leg circumference measures 16 inches, which may pose a conundrum for those who have trouble finding boots that fit well over their legs.

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Words near conundrum in the Dictionary