Podcast Summary: Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day

Episode: Enigmatic
Date: December 7, 2025
Host: Peter Sokolowski, for Merriam-Webster

Overview

This episode spotlights the adjective "enigmatic" as Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Day. Host Peter Sokolowski delves into its meaning, origin, usage, and offers illustrative examples. The segment encourages listeners to appreciate the beauty and complexity of language, especially words that evoke mystery and curiosity.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Definition and Spelling

• Enigmatic (spelled E-N-I-G-M-A-T-I-C) is defined as:
  • "Mysterious and difficult to understand."
  • [00:42] “Someone or something described as enigmatic is mysterious and difficult to understand.” — Peter Sokolowski

2. Example in Context

• The episode features a literary example to clarify usage:
  • [00:57] “For 30 years, Perlefter's carpet hung peacefully on the wall in the museum, delighting visitors with its beauty, its unusual palette, enigmatic motifs, and its echoes of four empires.”
    — Quoted from Threads of A History of the World in 12 carpets by Dorothy Armstrong

3. Relationship to Other Words

• Noun form: Enigma, meaning “a puzzle, a riddle, a question mark.”
• [01:10] “It’s no mystery, then, that the adjective enigmatic describes what is hard to solve or figure out.”

4. Examples of Usage

• Types of things or people that can be described as enigmatic:
  • [01:17] “An enigmatic person, for example, may be someone with a bit of je ne sais quoi.”
  • [01:22] “What’s behind a stranger's enigmatic smile? Your guess is as good as ours.”
  • [01:28] “Does the vocabulary in the short story you’re reading render it a tad enigmatic? Better grab a dictionary.”

5. Etymology

• The roots of enigma and enigmatic are explored:
  • [01:33] “Both enigma and enigmatic come from the Greek verb anistasthai, meaning ‘to speak in riddles.’”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [00:42] “Someone or something described as enigmatic is mysterious and difficult to understand.” — Peter Sokolowski
• [01:28] “Does the vocabulary in the short story you’re reading render it a tad enigmatic? Better grab a dictionary.” — Peter Sokolowski
• [01:33] “Both enigma and enigmatic come from the Greek verb anistasthai, meaning ‘to speak in riddles.’” — Peter Sokolowski

Important Timestamps

• 00:42 — Introduction and spelling of "enigmatic"; succinct definition.
• 00:57 — Literary example illustrating the word in context.
• 01:10 – 01:28 — Definitions of related words and instances of usage.
• 01:33 — Etymology and Greek origins discussed.
• 02:03 — Episode conclusion and invitation to visit merriam-webster.com.

Conclusion

This episode provides a concise yet illuminating exploration of "enigmatic," highlighting its definition, roots, and captivating uses in both literature and everyday life. As Peter Sokolowski remarks, it is “no mystery” why such words continue to spark curiosity and enrich our vocabulary.