Meaning & use
riddling
Last updated
Meanings
noununcountable
The act or habit of speaking in riddles or puzzling language.
Grammar: Uncountable: his riddling confused everyone; not 'a riddling'.
Patterns
- speak in riddling
- the riddling of a text
His riddling made it hard to know what he really meant.
The poem's riddling is part of its charm.
I enjoy the riddling in old folk tales.
adjectivebefore a noun
Expressed in a confusing or puzzling way, like a riddle.
Grammar: Used before a noun: a riddling question, a riddling remark.
Patterns
- a riddling question
- a riddling remark
She gave a riddling answer that left us even more confused.
The professor's riddling comment puzzled the students.
He wrote a riddling note that no one could understand.
Common combinations
- speak in riddling
- The old man spoke in riddling, and we had to guess his meaning.
- riddling question
- The riddling question had no obvious answer.
- riddling remark
- Her riddling remark made everyone think.
Synonyms and how they differ
- puzzling
- More common and general; riddling specifically suggests the style of a riddle.
- enigmatic
- More formal and often describes a person or smile; riddling describes words or speech.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: riddling or riddling (from riddle = to pierce)?
riddling vs riddling (from riddle = to pierce)
This spelling can also come from the verb 'riddle' meaning to make holes; context will show which meaning is intended.
Practice
What does 'riddling' mean in the sentence 'His riddling speech confused the audience'?
Choose one answer.
Here 'riddling' describes speech that is like a riddle, so it is puzzling. 'Full of holes' would come from the other verb 'riddle', which doesn't fit 'speech'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “riddling”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.