Puzzle Definition

pŭzəl

puzzled, puzzles, puzzling

noun

puzzles

A toy or problem for testing cleverness, skill, or ingenuity; often, specif., jigsaw puzzle.

Webster's New World

A question, problem, etc. that puzzles.

Webster's New World

Something that baffles or confuses; an enigma.

The puzzle of the author's true identity.

American Heritage

The state of being puzzled; bewilderment.

Webster's New World

The definition of a puzzle is game to exercise the brain by fitting different pieces together.

An example of a puzzle is the New York Times crossword.

YourDictionary

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

verb

puzzled, puzzles, puzzling

To baffle or confuse mentally by presenting or being a difficult problem or matter.

American Heritage

To perplex; confuse; bewilder; nonplus.

Webster's New World

To be perplexed, etc.

Webster's New World

To exercise one's mind, as over the solution of a problem.

Webster's New World

To clarify or solve (something confusing) by reasoning or study.

He puzzled out the significance of the statement.

American Heritage

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

idiom

puzzle out

to solve by deep thought or study

Webster's New World

puzzle over

to give deep thought to; concentrate on

Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Puzzle

Noun

Singular:

puzzle

Plural:

puzzles

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Puzzle

puzzle out
puzzle over

Origin of Puzzle

Origin uncertain, originally pusle, possibly pose (“to perplex") +"Ž -le (“(frequentive, diminutive)"). The verb (1590s) “to perplex" seems to predate the noun “state of being perplexed" (circa 1600), “perplexing question" (1650s), “toy" (1814).

From Wiktionary
Origin unknown

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition