/r/riddles

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The #1 place for writing and answering novel riddles. Check out the featured riddles at the top!

Hi, welcome to /r/riddles! Post riddles and try to solve them in the comments.

To spoiler tag: >!spoiler!< will appear as spoiler. Click/tap to view it.

Rules

Please read the full rules here.

  1. No Spam: This subreddit is not the place to promote your website or YouTube videos. Read Reddit's general definition of spam and the wiki page about self-promotion No NFTs!

  2. Riddles must be self-contained in words. No outside links, no images.

  3. All guesses and discussions of guesses must be spoiler-tagged. A spoiler tag begins with >! [no space after] and ends with !< [no space before]. If your spoiler starts or ends with a space, it won't work on all platforms, so try to be careful about that. See Automod's comment in (nearly) every post for more instructions. You can ask the mods if you need more help.

  4. Posts should be riddles. Riddles involve creative thinking.
    Creative thinking is a change in perspective or trick of wordplay that needs to be grasped to solve the riddle. Your post may be removed if it does not rely on creative thinking. For example, the riddle "What gets wetter as it dries?" is solved by identifying a change in perspective. Once we re-interpret "dries", we realize the solution is "a towel".
    IF LOGIC, MATH, OR OTHER ANALYTICAL THINKING IS INVOLVED, IT IS NOT A RIDDLE. See /r/puzzles or /r/trivia for other types of brain exercises.

  5. No riddles from active competitions.
    Unless the host of the competition tells us it's okay, please don't post riddles from competitions until after the competition has ended.

  6. No hate: No harassment, no racism, no bigotry of any kind. No politics.

  7. No trolling. No shitposting.

Guidelines/Suggestions

  1. Please don't Google the answers. If you cheat, please don't post an answer

  2. Please use a descriptive title. A good strategy is to use the first line of the riddle as the title.

  3. If your post doesn't show up in /r/riddles/new, it was probably flagged as spam. Send us a message and we'll double check it.

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/r/riddles

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9

The loser is destined to lose

A game with more people than players

That starts at no scheduled time.

It can be a friendly tradition.

To take it too far is a crime.

Invitations are made in dilemmas,

With bribes the right way to refuse.

A win is no treat for the winner.

The loser is destined to lose.

23 Comments
2024/10/30
18:10 UTC

5

In the realm where shadows creep,

A canvas dark, where secrets seep. Whispers echo in the night, A dance of fear, a chilling fright.

I am the trickster, born of dreams, A haunting figure, or so it seems. With twisted tales that twist and twine, In sleep's embrace, I dare to dine. I rhyme with dread, a spectral tune, A midnight song beneath the moon.

What am I, this phantom's flight? A puzzle hidden in the night. I lurk in corners, silent and sly, A fleeting glimpse, a hurried sigh. With every heartbeat, I draw near, In silent screams, I thrive on fear.

So tell me now, in riddles spun, What creature stalks when day is done? Unravel my secrets, find my name, In the theater of dreams, I stake my claim. What am I, the shadow's bane? A whispered thought, a twisted chain?

(Title is part of the riddle)

2 Comments
2024/10/30
22:12 UTC

1

Me and my funny little men

Me...

Mistress of the house.

Of very particular men, the spouse.

And You...

Always on their side,

Keeping them close,

Making them hide.

Don't...

And hate me then,

And replace me then.

Me...

Me and my funny little men.

1 Comment
2024/10/30
23:07 UTC

1

I can count the time but not the hour

"I can count the time, but not the hour.

You cannot take me with you when you take a shower.

I start off strong, but end up a puddle.

If you can rhyme you can solve the puzzle."

What am I?

3 Comments
2024/10/30
23:35 UTC

2

Different Ideologies

When one becomes a distinct two or more,

Due to an argument that came before.

This is not heresy, you see.

Just now different ideologies between you and me.

7 Comments
2024/10/31
14:53 UTC

3

Riddle for a fairytale story

What is lost, must once been won, Much as darkness betrayed the sun. When time has passed, and old ye grow, Only then with me thou truest know.

Written for a short story and I want to know if Its obvious, or way too ambiguous.

3 Comments
2024/10/31
16:30 UTC

6

Locked away beyond site but clearly seen

I am a presence you cannot see, In every moment yet always free. I make the hard soft, the quiet loud, Within and around, a gathering crowd. I exist in minds yet have no form, A flicker, a thought, where ideas are born.

I’m not a shadow, not light or dark, Yet I leave behind a lasting mark. Invisible walls I help construct, Building realms where time is tucked.

22 Comments
2024/10/30
16:18 UTC

12

A bad romance?

(This is an original riddle.)

I dressed in red and drew his gaze,
and my perfume pulled him closer.
I swayed my hips, and he held me gently.
He brought his lips only an inch away,
but then he left, giving neither kiss nor embrace.

If he did not leave me but instead took me home with him,
he would care for me and speak of my beauty,
but I would quickly become unhappy.
I never wanted him - I'm expecting someone else to find me.

The one I await will use me, and I will use him,
and he will never truly love me.
What color will he wear?

8 Comments
2024/10/28
17:20 UTC

2

An unlikely queen

They spoke of her many years ago, long before you were born—and lucky that you were.

An unlikely queen, her only wish is to serve. But be warned, her kindness comes with a price.

Cloaked in Tyrian purple, her silken hair perfumed with mint and lavender, she wanders over the land. Her ladies-in-waiting tentatively follow as she moves along the icy streams and damp meadows. On cloudy days you may see her in the marsh, standing watch over her victims.

Ask her for life, and she will not answer. Ask her for freedom, and she might.

[Original]

13 Comments
2024/10/27
18:18 UTC

8

A Short Themed Riddle

Wrote a themed riddle for my DnD campaign would like to test it here:

It's at the end here, but it can be hard to start

It’s the beginning of an artist

Should you find it within your heart

Though farther you may look,

It will always appear in part.

!Answer = Art!<

9 Comments
2024/10/26
20:25 UTC

8

Wrote A Riddle (Poem). Enjoy! Looking for feedback to improve it.

I wrote this riddle. Because I won't be able to follow up on this post for at least a day, I have included the answer with a spoiler shield. Feedback welcome.

Like falling snow upon the earth,

Like streams that flow out to the sea,

We cannot escape our day of birth.

We cannot change, but may yet add, to thee.

Tell us your name, what first we love and often hate.

Tell us, that which we bury yet in our blood will ever be.

You, my company when hour is late.

You, the first and last thing that I see.

What are you?

Answer: >!Family!<

4 Comments
2024/10/27
08:07 UTC

1

Have a riddle that is killing me.

I move without legs, I rise without wings, you can hear my voice in silent things. I follow you in sunlight, but disappear at night, always present but out of sight. Without me, you can’t see, yet I’m no living being. Anyone knows this answer?

2 Comments
2024/10/27
12:33 UTC

29

Original Riddle?

I think I figured out a new riddle - googled it and can't find it.

Should be simple - here we go 😁

"I am two of the same, but if you take two from me I am one"

30 Comments
2024/10/27
13:02 UTC

12

Help me win this riddle

I'm forged in ancient tongues, where shadows play, A horn's whisper bears my name's first day. In twilight's hush, where dogs of old did sleep, My fruit's crimson kiss, winter's secrets keep.

Through emblems bold, my strength is told, A tooth of valor, in heralds' gold. In mystic woods, where sunrise slowly creeps, My branches weave, the morning's hidden sleeps.

What am I?

11 Comments
2024/10/25
18:02 UTC

9

This is driving me crazy

What is worthless to the wise, everything to the young, and useless to the old.

I've been on this for almost a year.... Can y'all give me options?

33 Comments
2024/10/24
20:09 UTC

8

Written in class

I am a word with many meanings and less overlap between them:

I lock away the orphan dogs, while hidden from the poor. I’m both a blessing and a curse to work to lose or earn.

You’ll find my name in compound count: like heartbeat, hashtag, heavy-hitter. And my exchange between a pair Can feel, to you, both sweet or bitter.

Both presence and absence can cut a life short. The beast leaves me and lives; you lose me and starve, then lose me once more.

What am I?

11 Comments
2024/10/24
20:31 UTC

8

I invented a riddle!!

Hi! Firstly I wanna say I've looked it up and I did come up with this firstly so haha! I can die knowing I made a very hard riddle.

Also here is said riddle!!

"I am never here, but I am there, and always Where. What am I?"

30 Comments
2024/10/24
22:34 UTC

4

Anime has riddles in episode titles, can anyone help to solve it?

An anime titled "The Idolmaster Cinderella U149" which aired in 2023 has quite the way of naming their episodes - All of them are riddles.

But does anyone have any idea on what are the solutions to those riddles? Here are all of them:

  • When Can't You See Your Own Face in the Mirror? >!(I think the answer is "When you're facing backwards")!<
  • What Says "I'm Home" Even Though It's Leaving?>! (Maybe answering machine?)!<
  • What Sinks in the Ocean and Doesn't Get Wet? >!(The sun?)!<
  • What Flies With Broken Wings?>! (Paper airplanes?)!<
  • What's Really High But Underground?
  • What Gets Cooler The Hotter It Gets?>! (Hot-air balloon?)!<
  • What Speaks Without a Voice? >!(Echo?)!<
  • What Do You Put On To Be Beautiful? (guess this one would only make sense if you watch the show)
  • What Has Its Face Come Out When it's Warm? >!(Sunflower?)!<
  • What Color Gets Bigger the More You Bring It Together?>! (Rainbow?)!<
  • What's The Difference Between Grown-Ups and Kids? (also would only make sense if you watch the show, because the show features children as the main focus)
  • What Can't Be Seen When It's Bright Out, But Can Be Seen When It's Nighttime? >!(Moon and the stars?)!<
  • What's Invisible But Can Jump And Dance?
  • What Flowers Bloom When You Talk To Them?
7 Comments
2024/10/25
02:08 UTC

5

Pleasing Pieces

I have 3 pieces 2 peices Sometimes 4, but never 1

Many I please Always deceive Forever held high, but mostly hung.

What am i?

4 Comments
2024/10/25
04:38 UTC

17

As dark as night

Just another little riddle I'd like to share with you all, hope you enjoy! :)

As thick as fog, as dark as night

So sticky should I grasp you tight

Mayhap on me you'll have a match

Don't strike it lest aflame I catch

10 Comments
2024/10/25
17:56 UTC

1

Got a Good one!

What Links These Four Words:

Whale, Plastic Fork, Hospital, Chocolate Bar

(hint: first one is:

Whale Eats Plastic Fork)

13 Comments
2024/10/25
18:00 UTC

1

Old school riddle

Riddle from my school last year no one found it out

You don't have to rip things up

You don't have to tear thing down

(No s on thing is on purpose I think)

1 Comment
2024/10/23
19:00 UTC

10

Knock, knock...

Knock, Knock, please let me in? The stakes have never been higher. Enthralled? Good and well For you have what I desire. What am I?

6 Comments
2024/10/24
02:42 UTC

18

Spooky Halloween riddle :)

With 48 or more teeth in my skull, I am always growing

Always hungry, and always consuming

Though I speak in a language no one understand

Manipulating adult humans to my will, I can bend

With a single cry, I bring worry, panic, and even terror

And yet, surprise, I am no eldritch horror

What am I?

12 Comments
2024/10/24
05:00 UTC

1

Surely it’s not the obvious answer?

By day i blend in with the crowd but when the moons high i turn into something wild and untamed. My secret comes out when the night is clear , you'll hear my howl befire you see me?

Surely it’s not the obvious a werewolf??

4 Comments
2024/10/23
07:39 UTC

1

"I may hold words of wisdom, or style them."

Hints:

!This riddle is from a game I made. In the game, the player has to find an item on the map that matches the description of the riddle answer. Interacting with the item will solve the riddle. Thus the solution is a material object!<

!The game has a pre-industrial revolution environment so the solution would exist in that setting!<

8 Comments
2024/10/23
12:37 UTC

9

Help Identifying Song

I have a riddle that is song lyrics rephrased, I need help figuring out the song name,

Allow me to transport you below. I’m heading to the expanse of early-summer fruit. Nothing is backed by evidence. And nothing to get lifted up and displayed about.

5 Comments
2024/10/23
14:08 UTC

23

I eat what I leave behind, what am I?

Hello guys could anyone help with this riddle?

EDIT I ACCIDENTALLY WROTE THE TITLE WRONG.

TITLE: I leave behind, what I eat, what am I?

  • It contains steel but no plastic, wood or rubber.

It’s not a spoon, knife, foodprocessor, nutcracker, hole punch, stapler clips, lamp, stove, garlic press, pencil sharpener, fork, plate, nail.

I don’t know the response, but will guess on Thursday and let you all know :)

EDIT IT WAS A TWEEZER

56 Comments
2024/10/23
14:47 UTC

0

I'm birthed in an instant, if you find me to late your already dead, most people fear me, yet there vices tempt me, so I'll make your life miserable before your dead. What am I

Just made this. Let's see who gets it.

32 Comments
2024/10/23
15:04 UTC

10

In the mirror each morning,

I take up my blade, With a flick of the wrist, my routine's well laid.I shave every day, but oh what a game, Despite all my efforts, my beard stays the same. It's a puzzling mystery, this facial charade, I clean off my stubble, yet it's never dismayed. With a lather and razor, I give it a name, But no matter my scrubbing, my beard stays the same. Perhaps it's a trick, a sly little prank, No matter the effort, it never will tank. So I laugh at the process, it's all just a claim, I shave every day, but my beard stays the same. In the end, dear friend, I’m no telling fool, For the answer is clear, in this hair-cutting duel. A riddle I play, like a seasoned old game. What am I? (The title is part of the riddle)

5 Comments
2024/10/22
07:46 UTC

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