conundrum — a confusing and difficult problem or question
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: a confusing and difficult problem or question
Pronunciation (IPA): /kəˈnʌndrəm/
Example Sentences
- It's quite a conundrum: I want to lose weight but I also want to eat this entire chocolate cake.
- The professor presented us with an ethical conundrum during the philosophy seminar.
- The dating conundrum: reply immediately and seem desperate, or wait three days and seem uninterested.
conundrum
NOUN[/kəˈnʌndrəm/]
a confusing and difficult problem or question
The detective stared at the locked room, facing a baffling conundrum with no clear answer.
Beat the drum to solve this conundrum's sum!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The origin of 'conundrum' is uncertain, but it likely emerged in late 16th century English as a playful or nonsensical coinage, possibly influenced by Latin 'conundrum' or a mock-Latin formation combining 'con-' (with) and elements suggesting confusion or wordplay.
Breakdown
con- (with/together) + -undrum (obscure suffix of uncertain origin, possibly from Latin 'rotundus' meaning round, or simply a playful invention) = conundrum (a riddle or confusing problem)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“It's quite a conundrum: I want to lose weight but I also want to eat this entire chocolate cake.”
“The professor presented us with an ethical conundrum during the philosophy seminar.”
“The dating conundrum: reply immediately and seem desperate, or wait three days and seem uninterested.”
“Climate change presents a global conundrum that requires immediate action.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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