puzzle

[puhz-uhl]

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.

3. a puzzled or perplexed condition; bewilderment.

4. a crossword puzzle.

   Did you do the puzzle in the newspaper today?

5. a jigsaw puzzle.

verb (used with object)

puzzled, puzzling 

1. to put (someone) at a loss; mystify; confuse; baffle.

   Her attitude puzzles me.

   Synonyms: confound

2. to frustrate or confound, as the understanding; perplex.

   The problem puzzled him for weeks.

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

4. Archaic.,  to make intricate or complicated.

verb (used without object)

puzzled, puzzling 

1. to be perplexed or confused.

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

verb phrase

1. puzzle out,  to solve by careful study or effort.

   I was unable to puzzle out the message.

puzzle

/ ˈpʌzəl /

verb

1. to perplex or be perplexed

2. to attempt the solution (of); ponder (about)

   he puzzled over her absence

3. 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

3. the state or condition of being puzzled

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

Other Word Forms

• puzzledly adverb
• puzzledness noun
• unpuzzle verb (used with object)
• puzzling adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of puzzle¹

First recorded in 1585–95; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of puzzle¹

C16: of unknown origin

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

If BH* objects are real, they could help clarify another long-standing puzzle.

Read more on Science Daily

The fact that Ammonite has a completely different orbit from the other sednoids has left astronomers puzzling over the diversity and strangeness of the outer Solar System.

Read more on Space Scoop

But some shoppers are puzzled over garments more appropriate for the office.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But astronomers are still quite puzzled by some of the details of these cosmic fireworks.

Read more on Space Scoop

This is a criticism that should puzzle more people than it has done in much of the biographical literature.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• amaze 
• befuddle 
• bemuse 
• bewilder 
• complicate 
• confound 
• disconcert 
• distract 
• disturb 
• dumbfound 
• flabbergast 
• flummox 
• frustrate 
• mystify 
• nonplus 
• perplex 
• rattle 
• stump