| gen. |
a difficult question or riddle, especially one using a play on words in the answer (plural conundrums or conundra: “Why should I understand that, or anything else?” asked the girl. “Don’t bother my head by asking conundrums, I beg of you. Just let me discover myself in my own way.” • Besides assisting in unravelling these two etymological conundrums, the present research also made an effort to approach a greater accuracy in presenting the original sources of borrowed words.  wiktionary.org); a difficult choice or decision that must be made (plural conundrums or conundra: And while I am more concerned about the well-being of others than for myself, more hurt for them and for their losses than for my own, more worried for their futures than for the future of Martha Stewart the person, you are faced with a conundrum, a problem of monumental, to me, proportions. wiktionary.org); a problem or puzzle which is difficult or impossible to solve (plural conundrums or conundra: ...this theological conundrum of the existence of evil and suffering in a world created by a good God. collinsdictionary.com); a riddle, the answer to which involves a pun or play on words (Example: “What's the difference between a jeweler and a jailer?” “One sells watches and the other watches cells.” • "What is black and white and read all over?" "A newspaper" collinsdictionary.com); anything that puzzles (This show leads you into the world of one of the great cultural conundrums. • It is the family home that is the central question in this conundrum. • How you remain positive in the face of another defeat is a great coaching conundrum. collinsdictionary.com); a confusing and difficult problem or question |
