Sphinx (Noun)

Meaning ¹

An inscrutable person who keeps his thoughts and intentions secret.

Classification

Nouns denoting people.

Examples

• Her husband was a sphinx, never revealing his true feelings or opinions, even after years of marriage.
• The new CEO was a sphinx, keeping his plans for the company's future tightly under wraps.
• My brother has always been a sphinx, never telling me what's really going on in his life.
• The politician's aide was a sphinx, refusing to comment on the scandal surrounding his boss.
• The detective was a sphinx, never giving away his thoughts or theories about the case, even to his closest colleagues.

Hypernyms

• Somebody
• Soul
• Individual
• Someone
• Mortal

Meaning ²

(Greek mythology) a riddling winged monster with a woman's head and breast on a lion's body; daughter of Typhon.

Classification

Nouns denoting people.

Examples

• The Great Sphinx of Giza is one of the most famous monuments in Egypt, but in Greek mythology, the Sphinx was a terrifying creature with the body of a lion and the head of a woman.
• According to legend, the Sphinx posed a riddle to all who dared to approach her, and those who failed to answer correctly were devoured by the monster.
• In ancient Greek art, the Sphinx was often depicted as a winged creature with the body of a lion and the head and breast of a woman, symbolizing wisdom and mystery.
• The Sphinx was said to be the daughter of Typhon, a fearsome monster in Greek mythology, and her riddles were feared by all who knew of her reputation.
• The hero Oedipus was the only one who was able to solve the Sphinx's riddle, and as a reward, he was granted the throne of Thebes.

Hypernyms

• Mythical Creature

Meaning ³

One of a number of large stone statues with the body of a lion and the head of a man that were built by the ancient Egyptians.

Classification

Nouns denoting man-made objects.

Examples

• The Great Sphinx of Giza is the largest monolithic statue in the world, measuring 240 feet long and 66 feet high.
• Tourists flock to Egypt to see the majestic Sphinx, one of the most iconic landmarks of ancient civilization.
• The Sphinx is believed to have been built during the Old Kingdom period, around 2500 BC, as a guardian of the pharaoh's tomb.
• The mysterious face of the Sphinx has fascinated people for centuries, with many interpreting its features as those of a pharaoh or god.
• Despite being over 4,500 years old, the Sphinx remains an awe-inspiring sight, with its imposing figure seeming to defy the passage of time.