PUZZLE Definition & Meaning

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puzzle

[ puhz-uhl ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a toy, problem, or other contrivance designed to amuse by presenting difficulties to be solved by ingenuity or patient effort.
something puzzling; a puzzling question, matter, or person.
a puzzled or perplexed condition; bewilderment.
a crossword puzzle:
Did you do the puzzle in the newspaper today?
a jigsaw puzzle.

verb (used with object)

puzzled, puzzling.

to put (someone) at a loss; mystify; confuse; baffle:
Her attitude puzzles me.
Synonyms:
to frustrate or confound, as the understanding; perplex:
The problem puzzled him for weeks.
to exercise (oneself, one's brain, etc.) over some problem or matter.
Archaic. to make intricate or complicated.

verb (used without object)

puzzled, puzzling.

to be perplexed or confused.
to ponder or study over some perplexing problem or matter.

verb phrase

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

puzzle

/ ˈ��ʌ��ə�� /

verb

to perplex or be perplexed
intrfoll byover to attempt the solution (of); ponder (about)
he puzzled over her absence
trusually foll byout to solve by mental effort
he puzzled out the meaning of the inscription

noun

a person or thing that puzzles
a problem that cannot be easily or readily solved
the state or condition of being puzzled
a toy, game, or question presenting a problem that requires skill or ingenuity for its solution See jigsaw puzzle Chinese puzzle

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Derived Forms

ˈ��ܳ��Բ�, adjective

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Other 51�Թ� Forms

��ܳ�z��·�� adverb
��ܳ�z��·�Ա�� noun
�ܲ�·��ܳ�z�� verb (used with object) unpuzzled unpuzzling

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of puzzle¹

First recorded in 1585–95; origin uncertain

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of puzzle¹

C16: of unknown origin

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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.

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Susan was no more than puzzled when she saw the first results from her home DNA testing kit.

From

Making his limited usage all the more puzzling, Cronin conceded late in the season that the 6-9 Bilodeau was not a center even though he started every game he played at the position.

From

What remains puzzling is Donald Trump's impatience – the same impatience he's displayed in attempting to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine.

From

“It will be very important to connect each of these pieces of the puzzle to really understand the impacts on the food web.”

From

Letting Kidman retrofit this puzzle with her own handcrafted parts would only make “Holland” more interesting.

From

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