Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense puzzles, present participle puzzling, past tense, past participle puzzled
1. verb
If something puzzles you, you do not understand it and feel confused.
My sister puzzles me and causes me anxiety. [VERB noun]
puzzlingadjective
His letter poses a number of puzzling questions.
Synonyms: perplexing, baffling, bewildering, hard More Synonyms of puzzle
2. verb
If you puzzle over something, you try hard to think of the answer to it or the explanation for it.
I stayed up nights, puzzling over epic Old English poems in a fog of incomprehension. [VERB + about]
3. countable noun
A puzzle is a question, game, or toy which you have to think about carefully in order to answerit correctly or put it together properly.
...a word puzzle.
Synonyms: problem, riddle, maze, labyrinth More Synonyms of puzzle
4. See also crossword
5. singular noun
You can describe a person or thing that is hard to understand as a puzzle.
Data from Voyager II has presented astronomers with a puzzle about why our outermostplanet exists.
She was a puzzle.
Phrasal verbs:
See puzzle out
More Synonyms of puzzle
puzzle in British English
(ˈpʌzəl)
verb
1.
to perplex or be perplexed
2. (intransitive; foll byover)
to attempt the solution (of); ponder (about)
he puzzled over her absence
3. (transitive; usually foll byout)
to solve by mental effort
I puzzled out the meaning of the inscription
noun
4.
a person or thing that puzzles
5.
a problem that cannot be easily or readily solved
6.
the state or condition of being puzzled
7.
a toy, game, or question presenting a problem that requires skill or ingenuity for its solution
jigsaw puzzle, Chinese puzzle
Derived forms
puzzling (ˈpuzzling)
adjective
Word origin
C16: of unknown origin
puzzle in American English
(ˈpʌzəl)
verb transitiveWord forms: ˈpuzzled or ˈpuzzling
1.
to perplex; confuse; bewilder; nonplus
verb intransitive
2.
to be perplexed, etc.
3.
to exercise one's mind, as over the solution of a problem
noun
4.
the state of being puzzled; bewilderment
5.
a question, problem, etc. that puzzles
6.
a toy or problem for testing cleverness, skill, or ingenuity
SIMILAR WORDS: ˈmystery
Idioms:
puzzle out
puzzle over
SYNONYMY NOTE: puzzle implies such a baffling quality or such intricacy, as of a problem, situation, etc.,that one has great difficulty in understanding or solving it; , perplex, in addition, implies uncertainty or even worry as to what to think, say, or do;, confuse implies a mixing up mentally to a greater or lesser degree; , confound implies such confusion as completely frustrates or greatly astonishes one; , bewilder implies such utter confusion that the mind is staggered beyond the ability to thinkclearly; to , nonplus is to cause such perplexity or confusion that one is utterly incapable of speaking,acting, or thinking further; , dumbfound specifically implies as its effect a nonplused or confounded state in which one ismomentarily struck speechless
Derived forms
puzzlement (ˈpuzzlement)
noun
puzzler (ˈpuzzler)
noun
Word origin
ME *poselen (inferred < pp. poselet), to bewilder, confuse < ?
Examples of 'puzzle' in a sentence
puzzle
The answer to this puzzle is easy.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
And all the pieces of the puzzle gradually come together.
The Sun (2016)
What remains puzzling about them is the sense they all have of taking things apart rather than putting them together.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
This lack of commitment helps explain a puzzling feature about switching and church growth.
Greeley, Andrew M. Sociology and Religion: A Collection of Readings (1995)
The winner will be the fastest contestant who solves all three puzzles correctly in the grand final.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Which is why this speed camera thing puzzles me all the more.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Solve the puzzle and text in the numbers in the three shaded boxes.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
This question had long puzzled both theorists and empirical researchers.
Forstner, Helmut, Ballance, Robert Competing in a Global Economy (1990)
Text us the numbers or letters in the three shaded boxes from your chosen puzzle.
The Sun (2008)
Simply combine them together like a puzzle to make great new flavours.
The Sun (2011)
The puzzle solution can be found upside down at the bottom of the page.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Scrabble and puzzles are put away as dinner is served.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
This week a game and puzzle by two of the competitors.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
You are listening for something that puzzles you or seems different from what you are used to.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Anyone who solves the numbers and letters puzzle on the website can apply for a job.
The Sun (2011)
But this increases the puzzle rather than answers it.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
This is the solution to a puzzle about public spending.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
These things were puzzling to my young mind.
John Walsh ARE YOU TALKING TO ME?: A Life Through the Movies (2004)
My son solves the number puzzles quicker than she does.
The Sun (2008)
Our human mind yearns to make all the confusing puzzle pieces fit together neatly before we forgive.
Christianity Today (2000)
People soon realized that the inflationary idea offered a new solution to the puzzle.
Barrow, John D. The Origin of the Universe (1995)
You can pick up new job skills in record time and find quick answers to questions that puzzle others.
The Sun (2010)
We would love toys such as puzzle books, dolls and electronic gadgets.
The Sun (2013)
This is the hardest poem to puzzle out, but the most rewarding.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
There was little doubt that this was the hardest set of puzzles any of the 24 finalists had attempted.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Indeed, the listener's main problem is puzzling out the connection between them.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
In other languages
puzzle
British English: puzzle /ˈpʌzl/ NOUN
A puzzle is a question, game, or toy which you have to think about carefully in order to answer it correctly or put it together properly.
...a word puzzle.
American English: puzzle
Arabic: لُغْز
Brazilian Portuguese: charada
Chinese: 谜
Croatian: zagonetka
Czech: hádanka rébus
Danish: gåde
Dutch: puzzel
European Spanish: rompecabezas
Finnish: arvoitus
French: énigme
German: Rätsel
Greek: γρίφος
Italian: puzzle
Japanese: 難問
Korean: 난문제
Norwegian: puslespill
Polish: łamigłówka
European Portuguese: charada
Romanian: enigmă
Russian: головоломка
Latin American Spanish: rompecabezas
Swedish: pussel
Thai: ปริศนา
Turkish: bilmece
Ukrainian: головоломка
Vietnamese: vấn đề khó
All related terms of 'puzzle'
puzzle book
a book of games or questions presenting problems that require skill or ingenuity for their solution
puzzle out
If you puzzle out a problem, you find the answer to it by thinking hard about it.
puzzle over
to give deep thought to; concentrate on
jigsaw puzzle
a puzzle in which the player has to reassemble a picture that has been mounted on a wooden or cardboard base and cut into a large number of irregularly shaped interlocking pieces
monkey puzzle
a South American coniferous tree, Araucaria araucana, having branches shaped like a candelabrum and stiff sharp leaves: family Araucariaceae
Chinese puzzle
an intricate puzzle , esp one consisting of boxes within boxes
crossword puzzle
a puzzle in which the solver deduces words suggested by numbered clues and writes them into corresponding boxes in a grid to form a vertical and horizontal pattern
join-the-dots puzzle
a puzzle requiring you to connect a series of dots by drawing lines between them. If the dots are correctly connected, the result is a picture
Chinese translation of 'puzzle'
puzzle
(ˈpʌzl)
n
(c) (for entertainment)
(= riddle, conundrum) 谜(謎) (mí) (个(個), gè)
(= game) 测(測)智游(遊)戏(戲) (cèzhì yóuxì)
(= toy) 测(測)智玩具 (cèzhì wánjù) (套, tào)
(s) (= mystery) 谜(謎)团(團) (mítuán)
vt
(= baffle) 使困惑 (shǐ kùnhuò)
vi
to puzzle over sth对(對)某事冥思苦想 (duì mǒushì míng sī kǔ xiǎng)
(verb)
Definition
to baffle or bewilder
What puzzles me is why nobody has complained before now.
Synonyms
perplex
problems that perplexed me
beat (slang)
confuse
Politics just confuses me.
baffle
An apple tree producing square fruit is baffling experts.
stump
Well, maybe I stumped you on that one.
bewilder
The silence from her sister had hurt and bewildered her.
confound
For many years medical scientists were confounded by these seemingly contradictory facts.
mystify
There was something strange in her attitude that mystified me.
faze
flummox
This system has the potential to flummox most car thieves.
bemuse
It doesn't bemuse readers with pompous language.
nonplus
1 (noun)
Definition
a toy, game, or question presenting a problem that requires skill or ingenuity for its solution
a word puzzle
Synonyms
problem
a mathematical problem
riddle
Tell me a riddle.
maze
the maze of rules and regulations
a maze of dimly-lit corridors
labyrinth
a labyrinth of conflicting political interpretations
question
The whole question of aid is a tricky political one.
conundrum
It was a conundrum with no solution.
teaser
poser
Here's a little poser for you.
brain-teaser (informal)
2 (noun)
Definition
a problem that cannot be easily solved
the puzzle of why there are no Stone Age cave paintings in Britain
Synonyms
mystery
The source of the crying remained a mystery.
problem
paradox
Death is a paradox, the end yet the beginning.
enigma
This country remains an enigma for the outside world.
conundrum
3 (noun)
Synonyms
perplexity
the perplexities of quantum mechanics
difficulty
The main difficulty has been getting enough students to try out the scheme.
confusion
Omissions in my recent article may have caused some confusion.
uncertainty
The magazine ignores all the uncertainties students currently face.
dilemma
The issue raises a moral dilemma.
bewilderment
He shook his head in bewilderment.
quandary
The anonymous letter creates a quandary for the judge.
bafflement
Phrasal verbs
See puzzle over something
See puzzle something out
Additional synonyms
in the sense of baffle
Definition
to perplex
An apple tree producing square fruit is baffling experts.
Synonyms
puzzle,
beat (slang),
amaze,
confuse,
stump,
bewilder,
astound,
elude,
confound,
perplex,
disconcert,
mystify,
flummox,
boggle the mind of,
dumbfound
in the sense of bemuse
It doesn't bemuse readers with pompous language.
Synonyms
puzzle,
stun,
confuse,
overwhelm,
stump,
baffle,
bewilder,
muddle,
daze,
confound,
perplex,
mystify,
flummox,
nonplus,
amaze
in the sense of bewilder
Definition
to confuse utterly
The silence from her sister had hurt and bewildered her.
Synonyms
confound,
surprise,
stun,
confuse,
puzzle,
baffle,
mix up,
daze,
perplex,
mystify,
stupefy,
befuddle,
flummox,
bemuse,
dumbfound,
nonplus,
flabbergast (informal)
Synonyms of 'puzzle'
puzzle
Explore 'puzzle' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of bewilderment
He shook his head in bewilderment.
Synonyms
confusion,
puzzlement,
disorientation,
perplexity,
bemusement,
mystification,
befuddlement
in the sense of confound
Definition
to astound or bewilder
For many years medical scientists were confounded by these seemingly contradictory facts.
Synonyms
bewilder,
baffle,
amaze,
confuse,
astonish,
startle,
mix up,
astound,
perplex,
surprise,
mystify,
flummox,
boggle the mind,
be all Greek to (informal),
dumbfound,
nonplus,
flabbergast (informal)
in the sense of confuse
Definition
to perplex or disconcert
Politics just confuses me.
Synonyms
bewilder,
puzzle,
baffle,
perplex,
mystify,
fluster,
faze,
flummox,
bemuse,
be all Greek to (informal),
nonplus
in the sense of confusion
Definition
bewilderment
Omissions in my recent article may have caused some confusion.
Synonyms
bewilderment,
doubt,
uncertainty,
puzzlement,
perplexity,
mystification,
bafflement,
perturbation
in the sense of conundrum
Definition
a puzzling question or problem
It was a conundrum with no solution.
Synonyms
puzzle,
problem,
riddle,
enigma,
teaser,
poser,
brain-teaser (informal)
in the sense of difficulty
Definition
an objection or obstacle
The main difficulty has been getting enough students to try out the scheme.
Synonyms
problem,
trouble,
obstacle,
hurdle,
dilemma,
hazard,
complication,
hassle (informal),
snag,
uphill (South Africa),
predicament,
pitfall,
stumbling block,
impediment,
hindrance,
tribulation,
quandary,
can of worms (informal),
point at issue,
disputed point
in the sense of dilemma
Definition
a situation offering a choice between two equally undesirable alternatives
The issue raises a moral dilemma.
Synonyms
predicament,
problem,
difficulty,
spot (informal),
fix (informal),
mess,
puzzle,
jam (informal),
embarrassment,
plight,
strait,
pickle (informal),
how-do-you-do (informal),
quandary,
perplexity,
tight corner or spot
in the sense of enigma
Definition
something or someone that is mysterious or puzzling
This country remains an enigma for the outside world.
Synonyms
mystery,
problem,
puzzle,
riddle,
paradox,
conundrum,
teaser
in the sense of flummox
Definition
to puzzle or confuse
This system has the potential to flummox most car thieves.
Synonyms
baffle,
confuse,
stump,
perplex,
defeat,
fox,
puzzle,
bewilder,
mystify,
stymie,
bamboozle (informal),
bring up short,
nonplus
in the sense of labyrinth
Definition
any complex or confusing system
a labyrinth of conflicting political interpretations
Synonyms
intricacy,
puzzle,
complexity,
riddle,
complication,
tangle,
maze,
entanglement,
perplexity,
convolution,
knotty problem
Additional synonyms
in the sense of maze
Definition
any confusing network or system
the maze of rules and regulationsa maze of dimly-lit corridors
Synonyms
web,
puzzle,
confusion,
tangle,
snarl,
mesh,
labyrinth,
imbroglio,
convolutions,
complex network,
meander,
intricacy,
perplexity
in the sense of mystify
Definition
to confuse, bewilder, or puzzle
There was something strange in her attitude that mystified me.
Synonyms
puzzle,
confuse,
baffle,
bewilder,
beat (slang),
escape,
stump,
elude,
confound,
perplex,
bamboozle (informal),
flummox,
be all Greek to (informal),
nonplus,
befog
in the sense of paradox
Definition
a person or thing that is made up of contradictory elements
Death is a paradox, the end yet the beginning.
Synonyms
contradiction,
mystery,
puzzle,
ambiguity,
anomaly,
inconsistency,
enigma,
oddity,
absurdity
in the sense of poser
Definition
a baffling question
Here's a little poser for you.
Synonyms
puzzle,
problem,
question,
riddle,
enigma,
conundrum,
teaser,
tough one,
vexed question,
brain-teaser (informal),
knotty point
in the sense of quandary
Definition
a situation in which it is difficult to decide what to do
The anonymous letter creates a quandary for the judge.
Synonyms
difficulty,
dilemma,
predicament,
puzzle,
uncertainty,
embarrassment,
plight,
strait,
impasse,
bewilderment,
perplexity,
delicate situation,
cleft stick
in the sense of question
Definition
a point at issue
The whole question of aid is a tricky political one.
Synonyms
issue,
point,
matter,
subject,
problem,
debate,
proposal,
theme,
motion,
topic,
proposition,
bone of contention,
point at issue
in the sense of riddle
Definition
a question, puzzle, or verse phrased so that ingenuity is required to find the answer or meaning
Tell me a riddle.
Synonyms
puzzle,
problem,
conundrum,
teaser,
poser,
rebus,
brain-teaser (informal),
Chinese puzzle
in the sense of stump
Definition
to baffle or confuse (someone)
Well, maybe I stumped you on that one.
Synonyms
baffle,
confuse,
puzzle,
snooker,
foil,
bewilder,
confound,
perplex,
mystify,
outwit,
stymie,
flummox,
bring (someone) up short,
dumbfound,
nonplus
in the sense of uncertainty
The magazine ignores all the uncertainties students currently face.