Pronunciation: [ɹˈɪdə͡ld] (IPA) 
The word "riddled" is spelled /ˈrɪdld/. The first syllable is pronounced with a short "i" sound, represented by the IPA phonetic symbol /ɪ/. The "dd" in the middle of the word is doubled to indicate the previous syllable is stressed, while the "le" at the end is pronounced with a schwa sound, represented by the symbol /ə/. The word means to be full of or characterized by something undesirable, such as problems or flaws.
Riddled is an adjective that describes something or someone that is full or permeated with numerous holes, cracks, or gaps. It refers to a state of being filled with a multitude of small openings or perforations, often giving the impression of being compromised or in a state of decay. Riddled can also convey the idea of being filled or infested with something undesirable or problematic.
The term riddled can be extended metaphorically to describe a situation, idea, or plan that is characterized by a complex, convoluted, or puzzling nature. It implies a condition of being perplexing, confusing, or difficult to comprehend. In this context, riddled suggests that something is fraught with challenges, obstacles, or hidden flaws that prevent a straightforward or easy understanding.
Furthermore, riddled can also describe a person or their speech that is marked by an excessive or continuous series of questions, puzzles, or enigmas. This denotes the act of bombarding others with queries or making statements that are intentionally designed to provoke thought or stimulate intellectual curiosity.
Overall, riddled exemplifies a condition or object filled with a multitude of holes or problems, or a situation that is perplexing and difficult to decipher. Whether used in a literal or figurative sense, the term implies a sense of complexity and intricacy that demands careful examination or unraveling.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "riddled" comes from the Middle English verb "ridlen", which means "to pierce with holes". It is derived from the Old English word "hriddel", also meaning "a coarse sieve". The Old English word is further derived from the Proto-Germanic root "hrethanan", which relates to actions such as shaking or separating. Thus, "riddled" originally referred to the act of piercing or separating by creating holes, but over time, its meaning expanded to include concepts such as being filled or overwhelmed with questions or problems.
