RIDDLE
Dictionary entry overview: What does riddle mean?
• RIDDLE (noun)
The noun RIDDLE has 2 senses:
1. a difficult problem
2. a coarse sieve (as for gravel)
Familiarity information: RIDDLE used as a noun is rare.
• RIDDLE (verb)
The verb RIDDLE has 6 senses:
1. pierce with many holes
2. set a difficult problem or riddle
3. separate with a riddle, as grain from chaff
4. spread or diffuse through
5. speak in riddles
6. explain a riddle
Familiarity information: RIDDLE used as a verb is common.
Dictionary entry details
• RIDDLE (noun)
Meaning:
A difficult problem
Classified under:
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents
Synonyms:
brain-teaser; conundrum; riddle; enigma
Hypernyms ("riddle" is a kind of...):
problem (a question raised for consideration or solution)
Meaning:
A coarse sieve (as for gravel)
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Hypernyms ("riddle" is a kind of...):
screen; sieve (a strainer for separating lumps from powdered material or grading particles)
• RIDDLE (verb)
Meaning:
Pierce with many holes
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
Context example:
The bullets riddled his body
Hypernyms (to "riddle" is one way to...):
pierce (make a hole into)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Meaning:
Set a difficult problem or riddle
Classified under:
Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting
Context example:
riddle me a riddle
Hypernyms (to "riddle" is one way to...):
amaze; baffle; beat; bewilder; dumbfound; flummox; get; gravel; mystify; nonplus; perplex; pose; puzzle; stick; stupefy; vex (be a mystery or bewildering to)
Sentence frames:
Something ----s
Something ----s somebody
Meaning:
Separate with a riddle, as grain from chaff
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
Synonyms:
riddle; screen
Hypernyms (to "riddle" is one way to...):
sieve; sift; strain (separate by passing through a sieve or other straining device to separate out coarser elements)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Meaning:
Spread or diffuse through
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
Synonyms:
pervade; permeate; imbue; interpenetrate; diffuse; riddle; penetrate
Context examples:
An atmosphere of distrust has permeated this administration / music penetrated the entire building / His campaign was riddled with accusations and personal attacks
Hypernyms (to "riddle" is one way to...):
penetrate; perforate (pass into or through, often by overcoming resistance)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "riddle"):
spiritise; spiritize (imbue with a spirit)
Sentence frame:
Something ----s something
Meaning:
Speak in riddles
Classified under:
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing
Hypernyms (to "riddle" is one way to...):
communicate; intercommunicate (transmit thoughts or feelings)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s
Meaning:
Explain a riddle
Classified under:
Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting
Hypernyms (to "riddle" is one way to...):
figure out; lick; puzzle out; solve; work; work out (find the solution to (a problem or question) or understand the meaning of)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
