1. plural of sphinx: mythological creatures with a human head and a lion’s body, often depicted with wings
Usage: mythology
2. plural of sphinx: ancient Egyptian stone monuments depicting such creatures
Usage: archaeology
3. plural of sphinx: people who are mysterious or enigmatic in nature
Usage: figurative

Examples

• The ancient sphinxes guarded the temple entrance in Egyptian mythology.
• Tourists flocked to see the famous sphinxes near the pyramids.
• The museum’s collection included several small bronze sphinxes.
• In Greek legends, sphinxes posed riddles to travelers.
• The professor described the committee members as sphinxes who revealed nothing.
• Stone sphinxes lined the ceremonial pathway to the pharaoh’s tomb.