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Glite Dictionary

Riddler

13 8.9
A villain in Batman stories who challenges the hero with puzzles and clues
  • proper noun
  • /ˈrɪd.lər/
: El Acertijo
  • The Riddler left a note filled with clues, daring Batman to solve the riddle before time ran out.
  • Riddler from "Batman
  • riddles for the Riddler
  • Joker, the Riddler

You know what I suspect that guy might turn out to be The Riddler.

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Examples

  • The Riddler and Two-Face stand over a palette of black jeweler's felt.

    Fiction book (1995)

  • This is the Riddler speaking.

    The Batman (2022)

  • Everyone keeps saying I look like the Riddler, and I guess yeah.

  • I am the Riddler this evening and I have a Riddle for you.

  • I mean, this Riddler, he's going after the most powerful people in the city.

    The Batman (2022)

  • Welcome to my parlor, said the Riddler to the Bat.

    Fiction book (1995)

  • ... working with Two-Face, Gotham's new criminal mastermind is calling himself The Riddler.

    Fiction book (1995)

  • Batman has faced the Riddler many times, solving his challenging puzzles to stop his schemes.

  • Everyone in Gotham knows the Riddler for his clever wordplay and mind-bending riddles that stump even the best detectives.

Surface Forms

Riddler main

Morphology

Riddler = riddle (transparent) = riddle + er

The name is transparently built from 'riddle' + '-er', referring to a person characterized by making riddles.

Etymology

Riddler comes from the common word riddle, meaning 'a puzzle' or 'a tricky question', plus the ending -er which makes a person word. So a Riddler is 'one who makes riddles', which fits the Batman villain who challenges others with puzzles.