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
Anything that is difficult to understand or make sense of.
Where he went after he left the house is a puzzle.
Wiktionary
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
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
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