puzzle

[ puhz-uhl ]
See synonyms for puzzle on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. a toy, problem, or other contrivance designed to amuse by presenting difficulties to be solved by ingenuity or patient effort.

  2. something puzzling; a puzzling question, matter, or person.

  1. a puzzled or perplexed condition; bewilderment.

  2. a crossword puzzle: Did you do the puzzle in the newspaper today?

verb (used with object),puz·zled, puz·zling.
  1. to put (someone) at a loss; mystify; confuse; baffle: Her attitude puzzles me.

  2. to frustrate or confound, as the understanding; perplex: The problem puzzled him for weeks.

  1. to exercise (oneself, one's brain, etc.) over some problem or matter.

  2. Archaic. to make intricate or complicated.

verb (used without object),puz·zled, puz·zling.
  1. to be perplexed or confused.

  2. to ponder or study over some perplexing problem or matter.

Verb Phrases
  1. puzzle out, to solve by careful study or effort: I was unable to puzzle out the message.

Origin of puzzle

1
First recorded in 1585–95; origin uncertain

synonym study For puzzle

2. Puzzle, riddle, enigma refer to something baffling or confusing that is to be solved. A puzzle is a question or problem, intricate enough to be perplexing to the mind; it is sometimes a contrivance made purposely perplexing to test one's ingenuity: a crossword puzzle; The reason for their behavior remains a puzzle. A riddle is an intentionally obscure statement or question, the meaning of or answer to which is to be arrived at only by guessing: the famous riddle of the Sphinx. Enigma, originally meaning riddle, now refers to some baffling problem with connotations of mysteriousness: He will always be an enigma to me.

Other words for puzzle

Other words from puzzle

  • puz·zled·ly, adverb
  • puz·zled·ness, noun
  • un·puz·zle, verb (used with object), un·puz·zled, un·puz·zling.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use puzzle in a sentence

  • The conflict in Tom's puzzled heart sharpened that evening into dreadful edges that cut him mercilessly whichever way he turned.

    The Wave | Algernon Blackwood
  • Robin Hood stared at him for a moment with a puzzled expression, and then walked into his little shop, and Davy turned away.

    Davy and The Goblin | Charles E. Carryl
  • He has become by brute force of circumstances a sort of collectivist, puzzled only as to how much of a collectivist to be.

  • The doctor, a little puzzled, took his leave, but had not gone ten yards when the housekeeper flew screaming after him.

    Uncanny Tales | Various
  • He walked briskly down the avenue, and Hedges stood looking after him, slightly puzzled in his mind.

    Elster's Folly | Mrs. Henry Wood

British Dictionary definitions for puzzle

puzzle

/ (ˈpʌzəl) /


verb
  1. to perplex or be perplexed

  2. (intr foll by over) to attempt the solution (of); ponder (about): he puzzled over her absence

  1. (tr usually foll by out) to solve by mental effort: he puzzled out the meaning of the inscription

noun
  1. a person or thing that puzzles

  2. a problem that cannot be easily or readily solved

  1. the state or condition of being puzzled

  2. a toy, game, or question presenting a problem that requires skill or ingenuity for its solution: See jigsaw puzzle, Chinese puzzle

Origin of puzzle

1
C16: of unknown origin

Derived forms of puzzle

  • puzzling, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012