Top 34 Slang For Difficult To Understand – Meaning & Usage

Navigating through the world of slang can sometimes feel like trying to crack a secret code. But fear not, we’ve got you covered! Our team has gathered the most perplexing and head-scratching slang terms that might leave you scratching your head. Stay tuned to uncover the top slang for difficult to understand and impress your friends with your newfound linguistic knowledge!

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1. Head-scratcher

This term refers to something that is confusing or difficult to understand. It can be used to describe a situation, a problem, or even a riddle.

For example, “That math question was a real head-scratcher.”
A person might say, “I watched that movie last night, and it was a total head-scratcher.”
Another might ask, “Can you help me solve this head-scratcher of a crossword puzzle?”

2. Jargon

Jargon refers to specialized words or phrases that are used within a particular field or community. It can be difficult for outsiders to understand, as it often includes technical or industry-specific terms.

For instance, “I couldn’t understand a word they were saying. It was all jargon.”
A person might say, “I had to do some research to understand all the jargon in that scientific article.”
Another might comment, “Learning the jargon of a new industry can be challenging, but it’s essential for effective communication.”

3. Enigma

An enigma is something or someone that is mysterious or difficult to understand. It can refer to a puzzle, a riddle, or a person who is particularly puzzling.

For example, “The Mona Lisa’s smile has always been an enigma.”
A person might say, “He’s such an enigma. No one can figure him out.”
Another might comment, “Solving the mystery of the missing artifact is like unraveling an enigma.”

4. Cryptic

Cryptic refers to something that is intentionally difficult to understand or interpret. It can apply to messages, codes, or even behavior that is intentionally mysterious.

For instance, “The message was so cryptic that I couldn’t make sense of it.”
A person might say, “Her behavior is always so cryptic. I never know what she’s thinking.”
Another might comment, “The crossword puzzle had some really cryptic clues that took me a while to solve.”

5. Convoluted

Convoluted refers to something that is complex, intricate, or difficult to follow. It can apply to ideas, arguments, or even physical objects.

For example, “The plot of that movie was so convoluted, I had trouble keeping up.”
A person might say, “The instructions for assembling the furniture were unnecessarily convoluted.”
Another might comment, “The legal document was filled with convoluted language that made it hard to understand.”

6. Incomprehensible

This word refers to something that is difficult or impossible to understand or comprehend. It implies that the subject matter is beyond one’s comprehension or ability to grasp.

For example, a person might say, “The professor’s lecture on quantum physics was completely incomprehensible.”
When faced with a complex mathematical problem, someone might exclaim, “This equation is incomprehensible to me!”
A baffled individual might ask, “How can anyone make sense of this incomprehensible jargon?”

7. Baffling

This word describes something that is confusing or perplexing, causing one to be unable to understand or explain it. It suggests a sense of frustration or bewilderment.

For instance, a person might say, “The mysterious disappearance of the plane remains baffling to investigators.”
When faced with a difficult riddle, someone might exclaim, “This puzzle is absolutely baffling!”
A person might express their confusion by saying, “I find the rules of this game completely baffling.”

8. Abstruse

This word refers to something that is difficult to understand due to its complexity or abstract nature. It suggests a level of intellectual challenge or specialized knowledge required to comprehend the subject.

For example, a person might say, “The philosopher’s writings are known for their abstruse concepts.”
When reading a particularly dense academic paper, someone might comment, “The author’s use of abstruse language makes it hard to grasp the main ideas.”
A person might express their struggle by saying, “I find this abstruse theory difficult to wrap my head around.”

9. Esoteric

This word describes something that is known or understood by only a small group of people with specialized knowledge or interest. It suggests a sense of exclusivity or secrecy surrounding the subject matter.

For instance, a person might say, “The esoteric teachings of this ancient religion are only accessible to a select few.”
When discussing a niche hobby, someone might comment, “The terminology used in this esoteric community can be quite perplexing.”
A person might express their fascination by saying, “I love diving into esoteric topics that challenge my understanding.”

10. Arcane

This word refers to something that is mysterious or understood by only a few. It suggests a sense of ancient or hidden knowledge that is difficult to access or comprehend.

For example, a person might say, “The rituals performed by the ancient tribe are considered arcane.”
When encountering a complex magic trick, someone might comment, “The magician’s methods remain arcane to the audience.”
A person might express their curiosity by saying, “I’m fascinated by the arcane practices of alchemy and divination.”

11. Inscrutable

This word is used to describe something that is difficult or impossible to understand or interpret. It implies a sense of mystery or secrecy.

For example, “The meaning behind her actions remains inscrutable.”
In a discussion about a complex scientific theory, someone might say, “The concept is inscrutable to most people.”
A reviewer might describe a puzzling movie plot as “deliberately inscrutable.”

12. Perplexing

Perplexing is a term used to describe something that is confusing or puzzling. It suggests a sense of being unable to fully comprehend or make sense of something.

For instance, “The instructions for assembling the furniture were perplexing.”
In a conversation about a difficult riddle, someone might say, “It’s a truly perplexing puzzle.”
A student struggling with a complex math problem might say, “This equation is really perplexing me.”

13. Unfathomable

Unfathomable is a word used to describe something that is impossible to understand or comprehend. It suggests a deep level of complexity or mystery that is beyond human understanding.

For example, “The depths of the ocean are unfathomable.”
In a discussion about the vastness of the universe, someone might say, “The size of the universe is truly unfathomable.”
A person might describe a highly advanced technology as “unfathomable to most people.”

14. Mind-numbing

Mind-numbing is a term used to describe something that is extremely boring or tedious, to the point of causing mental fatigue or a lack of interest. It suggests a sense of overwhelming dullness or monotony.

For instance, “The repetitive tasks at my job are mind-numbing.”
In a conversation about a long and boring lecture, someone might say, “The professor’s presentation was mind-numbing.”
A person might describe a tedious and repetitive task as “mind-numbingly dull.”

15. Puzzling

Puzzling is a word used to describe something that is confusing or perplexing. It implies a sense of being unable to fully understand or solve a problem or mystery.

For example, “The disappearance of the key remains puzzling.”
In a discussion about an unsolved crime, someone might say, “The motive behind the crime is still puzzling.”
A person might describe a complex puzzle as “puzzlingly difficult.”

16. Unintelligible

This word describes something that is impossible to understand or make sense of.

For example, “The professor’s lecture was so unintelligible that none of the students could follow along.”
In a conversation about a confusing movie, someone might say, “The plot was so convoluted that it became unintelligible.”
A person might describe a foreign language they don’t understand as “unintelligible gibberish.”

17. Mystifying

This term refers to something that is difficult to understand or figure out.

For instance, “The magician’s trick was so mystifying that the audience couldn’t figure out how he did it.”
In a discussion about a complex problem, someone might say, “The solution to this issue is still mystifying to me.”
A person might describe a confusing situation as “mystifyingly bizarre.”

18. Complex

This word describes something that is made up of many interconnected or interdependent parts, making it difficult to understand or explain.

For example, “The instructions for assembling the furniture were so complex that it took hours to figure out.”
In a conversation about a challenging math problem, someone might say, “The equation is quite complex and requires advanced knowledge to solve.”
A person might describe a nuanced political issue as “complex and multifaceted.”

19. Deep

This term refers to something that requires a lot of thought or analysis to understand fully.

For instance, “The book explores deep philosophical concepts that can be difficult to grasp.”
In a discussion about a complex theory, someone might say, “The subject matter is quite deep and requires a deep understanding of the topic.”
A person might describe a thought-provoking movie as “deep and intellectually stimulating.”

20. Over my head

This phrase is used to express that something is too difficult or complex for someone to comprehend.

For example, “The scientific explanation went over my head; I couldn’t understand a word of it.”
In a conversation about a complex subject, someone might say, “I’m sorry, but this topic is over my head.”
A person might describe a highly technical article as “completely over my head.”

21. Enigmatic

Enigmatic refers to something that is puzzling or difficult to understand. It describes something that is mysterious and leaves people with unanswered questions or confusion.

For example, “The meaning behind that painting is enigmatic.”
A person might say, “I find quantum physics to be enigmatic.”
In a discussion about a complicated movie plot, someone might say, “The ending of that film was so enigmatic, I’m still trying to figure it out.”

22. Mind-bending

Mind-bending describes something that is extremely confusing or bewildering. It refers to something that challenges and stretches the limits of one’s understanding or perception.

For instance, “That puzzle is mind-bending, it’s impossible to solve.”
A person might say, “I just read a mind-bending science fiction novel.”
In a conversation about a complex math problem, someone might say, “The solution to that equation is mind-bending.”

23. Beyond comprehension

Beyond comprehension describes something that is impossible to understand or grasp. It refers to something that is so complex or confusing that it surpasses one’s ability to comprehend or make sense of it.

For example, “The mysteries of the universe are beyond comprehension.”
A person might say, “The level of corruption in that organization is beyond comprehension.”
In a discussion about advanced theoretical physics, someone might say, “The concepts they’re studying are beyond comprehension for most people.”

24. Knotty

Knotty describes something that is intricate or complicated. It refers to a problem or situation that is difficult to solve or understand due to its complexity or intricacy.

For instance, “That math equation is knotty, it requires advanced knowledge to solve.”
A person might say, “The knotty issue of climate change requires global cooperation.”
In a conversation about a difficult puzzle, someone might say, “This crossword is really knotty, I can’t figure out some of the clues.”

25. Daunting

Daunting describes something that is intimidating or overwhelming. It refers to a task, challenge, or situation that appears difficult or discouraging, often causing a feeling of fear or apprehension.

For example, “The prospect of climbing Mount Everest is daunting.”
A person might say, “Giving a presentation to a large audience can be daunting.”
In a discussion about a complex project, someone might say, “The amount of work required is daunting, but we can do it.”

26. Unintuitive

Something that is unintuitive is not immediately obvious or easy to understand or use. It may require additional explanation or experience to grasp.

For example, a user might comment, “The new software update is unintuitive. It’s hard to find basic functions.”
In a discussion about user interfaces, someone might say, “The app’s layout is unintuitive. I had trouble navigating through the menus.”
A person might describe a complicated process by saying, “The steps to set up the device are unintuitive and confusing.”

27. Unsolvable

An unsolvable problem is one that cannot be solved or resolved. It may be too complex, impossible to find a solution for, or beyond the current understanding or capabilities.

For instance, a user might post, “The math equation is unsolvable. Even the experts can’t figure it out.”
In a discussion about mysteries, someone might say, “The disappearance of the plane remains unsolvable. No one knows what happened.”
A person might describe a difficult puzzle by saying, “The puzzle is unsolvable without the missing piece.”

28. Unfathomed

Something that is unfathomed is not fully understood or explored. It may be mysterious, deep, or beyond comprehension.

For example, a user might comment, “The depths of the ocean are unfathomed. There is still so much we don’t know.”
In a discussion about the universe, someone might say, “The vastness of space is unfathomed. We can only speculate about what lies beyond.”
A person might describe a complex theory by saying, “The concept of time travel is unfathomed. It challenges our understanding of physics.”

29. Hard nut to crack

A hard nut to crack is a difficult problem to solve or understand. It may require a lot of effort, skill, or time to figure out.

For instance, a user might post, “The puzzle is a hard nut to crack. I’ve been working on it for hours.”
In a discussion about a challenging case, someone might say, “The murder mystery is a hard nut to crack. The clues don’t seem to add up.”
A person might describe a complex algorithm by saying, “The code is a hard nut to crack. It’s full of intricate logic and calculations.”

30. Confounding

Something that is confounding is puzzling or confusing. It may be difficult to understand or explain.

For example, a user might comment, “The behavior of the character is confounding. I can’t figure out their motives.”
In a discussion about a scientific discovery, someone might say, “The results are confounding. They contradict our current understanding.”
A person might describe a complicated problem by saying, “The equation is confounding. I can’t find a solution no matter how I approach it.”

31. Insoluble

Insoluble refers to something that is difficult to understand or solve. It can be used to describe complex problems or concepts that are hard to grasp.

For example, a person might say, “The math problem was completely insoluble, even with the help of a tutor.”
In a discussion about a complicated scientific theory, someone might comment, “The concept is so insoluble that even experts struggle to explain it.”
A student might complain, “The professor’s explanation of the topic was insoluble, and I still don’t understand it.”

32. Vague

Vague refers to something that is not clearly or precisely expressed. It can be used to describe unclear statements, descriptions, or instructions.

For instance, a person might say, “The directions were so vague that I got lost.”
In a conversation about a poorly written article, someone might comment, “The author’s argument was vague and lacked supporting evidence.”
A teacher might criticize a student’s answer by saying, “Your response is too vague. Please provide more specific details.”

33. Elusive

Elusive refers to something that is difficult to capture, achieve, or understand. It can be used to describe intangible concepts or elusive goals.

For example, a person might say, “Happiness can be elusive, and everyone seeks it in different ways.”
In a discussion about a mysterious creature, someone might comment, “The Loch Ness Monster remains elusive, despite numerous attempts to find it.”
A writer might describe a character as elusive, saying, “He was an elusive figure, always disappearing when anyone tried to approach him.”

34. Impenetrable

Impenetrable refers to something that is difficult or impossible to understand or penetrate. It can be used to describe complex texts, concepts, or language.

For instance, a person might say, “The academic article was filled with impenetrable jargon.”
In a conversation about a confusing novel, someone might comment, “The author’s writing style made the plot impenetrable.”
A student might complain, “The professor’s lecture was impenetrable, and I couldn’t follow the main points.”