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puzzle Definition

puz·zle (puz′əl)

transitive verb -·zled, -·zling

to perplex; confuse; bewilder; nonplus

Etymology: ME *poselen (inferred < pp. poselet), to bewilder, confuse < ?

intransitive verb

  1. to be perplexed, etc.
  2. to exercise one's mind, as over the solution of a problem

noun

  1. the state of being puzzled; bewilderment
  2. a question, problem, etc. that puzzles
  3. a toy or problem for testing cleverness, skill, or ingenuity

puzzle Related Forms

puz′·zle·ment noun puz′·zler noun

puzzle Idioms

puzzle out

to solve by deep thought or study

puzzle over

to give deep thought to; concentrate on

puzzle Synonyms

puzzle

n.

  1. The state of being puzzled

    bewilderment, bafflement, perplexity, puzzlement; see confusion 2.

  2. A problem

    enigma, mystery, riddle, problem, question, conundrum, tangle, dilemma, quandary, issue, intricacy, maze, labyrinth, query, oracle, cabala, muddle, esoterica, secret, ambiguity, difficulty, perplexity, confusion, entanglement, frustration, paradox, puzzler, poser, teaser, brain teaser, stumper, question mark, stickler*, sixty-four dollar question*; see also difficulty 1, riddle 1.

    Antonyms answer*, solution*, development. *

  3. A problem to be worked for amusement].

    Kinds of puzzles include: riddle, conundrum, cryptogram, logogram, crossword, jigsaw, anagram, palindrome, brain teaser, acrostic, charade, rebus, puzzle-ring, Chinese puzzle.

a puzzle is a situation, problem, or, often, a contrivance, that requires some ingenuity to solve or explain; mystery is applied to something beyond human knowledge or understanding, or may refer merely to any unexplained or seemingly inexplicable matter; enigma specifically applies to something whose meaning is hidden by cryptic or ambiguous allusions, or generally, to anything baffling and often mysterious; a riddle is a problem or enigma (usually in the form of a question in guessing games) that involves paradoxes; conundrum is specifically applied to a riddle whose answer is a pun, or generally, to any puzzling question or problem

puzzle Synonyms

puzzle

v.

  1. To perplex

    baffle, bewilder, perplex, mystify; see confuse.

  2. To wonder

    marvel, be surprised, be astonished; see wonder 1. See syn. study at confuse.

puzzle Usage Examples

Converse of object

solve: How to solve a sudoku puzzle - lessons.. .

Preposition: with

somebody: Share the joys of the puzzles of the puzzle with somebody.

Adjective modifier

  • logic-based: Sudoku - Logic-based placement puzzle Presentation of the Sudoku logical puzzle game.
  • printable: Daily SuDoku - Offers daily printable puzzles of varying... a Java applet.
  • wordless: Sudoku Fun - Online Sudoku Puzzle Speed Challenge Sudoku puzzles are addictive brain teasers that have been referred to as wordless crossword puzzles.
  • Japanese: Unlike what the name suggests, it is not a Japanese Puzzle.
  • addictive: Download Ancient Sudoku - Ancient Sudoku is an addictive brain teaser puzzle that challenges your lateral thinking... ... brain teaser puzzle.
  • mind-bending: Classic 9 x 9 Sudoku, Jigsaw Sudoku, Killer, Samurai are among the mind-bending logic puzzles that are.. .

Modifies a noun

  • sudoku: In the puzzle game Sudoku what is the latest.. .
  • craze: The latest puzzle craze here in the UK is Sudoku.
  • solver: I can only reiterate, that you are a harmonizer not a puzzle solver.
  • constructor: The puzzle was designed by Howard Garns, a retired architect and freelance puzzle constructor, and first published in 1979.
  • shareware: Sudoku Works - PC software The ultimate Sudoku puzzle PC shareware program.
  • game: The Japanese puzzle game Sudoku is all the rage at.. .

Noun used with modifier

  • crossword: A Puzzle For You A crossword puzzle from Parnell Hall, author of " A Clue For The Puzzle Lady " .
  • jigsaw: You don't need every piece in the jigsaw puzzle to know what the picture is.
  • sudoku: New easy, medium or hard sudoku puzzles to play online every day.
  • logic: These popular logic puzzles from Japan are taking.. .
  • doku: Every time we are playing su doku puzzles it amazes me what a great escape it is to get lost in solving them.
  • su: Every time we are playing su doku puzzles it amazes me what a great escape it is to get lost in solving them.

Browse dictionary entries near puzzle

  1. ‹ Puzo, Mario
  2. ‹ PuYi
  3. ‹ Puvis de Chavannes
  4. ‹ putz
  5. ‹ Putumayo
  6. ‹ puttyroot
  7. ‹ putty powder
  8. ‹ putty knife
  9. ‹ putty
  10. ‹ putto
  1. puzzle out ›
  2. puzzle over ›
  3. puzzled ›
  4. puzzling ›
  5. PVBP ›
  6. PVC ›
  7. Pvt ›
  8. PWA ›
  9. PWE ›
  10. PWE3 ›