puzzle
Puzzle (verb) means to confuse or mystify someone. Example: “The strange results puzzled the scientists for months.”
How to Use Puzzle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo confuse someone, or to think hard trying to solve something confusing.
Word Forms
puzzled past tense, puzzle plural, puzzled plural, puzzles singular, puzzle singular, puzzled singular, puzzlest singular, puzzledst singular, puzzleth singular
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The strange results _____ the scientists for months.
Etymology
Origin uncertain, though it's linked to old dialect words meaning to potter, trifle, or search about in confusion.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for puzzle
See all rhymes for puzzle →Frequently Asked Questions
What does “puzzle” mean?
The word “puzzle” means to confuse or mystify someone. In plain terms, to confuse someone, or to think hard trying to solve something confusing.
How do you pronounce “puzzle”?
“Puzzle” is pronounced PUH-zuhl (/ˈpʌzəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “puzzle” in a sentence?
Here is “puzzle” used in a sentence: “The strange results puzzled the scientists for months.”
What part of speech is “puzzle”?
Depending on how it is used, “puzzle” can be a verb and a noun.
Is “puzzle” a common word?
“Puzzle” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “puzzle” have?
“Puzzle” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to confuse or mystify someone.
What is the difference between a puzzle and a riddle?
A riddle is a specific kind of puzzle expressed as a question or statement with a clever or hidden answer, usually solved by insight. A puzzle is the broader term for any game, toy, or problem designed to test ingenuity, including jigsaws, crosswords, and logic problems.
What is the difference between puzzle and confuse?
Both mean to bewilder someone, but 'puzzle' suggests the confusion comes from something intriguing that invites you to work it out. 'Confuse' is broader and can simply mean to muddle, mislead, or make something unclear, without any sense of an interesting problem to solve.
What is the difference between 'puzzle over' and 'puzzle out'?
To 'puzzle over' something means to think hard about something confusing, focusing on the effort itself, as in 'she puzzled over the message.' To 'puzzle out' means to succeed in solving it through that effort, as in 'he finally puzzled out the answer.'
What are common collocations with the word puzzle?
Common noun pairings include 'jigsaw puzzle,' 'crossword puzzle,' 'puzzle piece,' and 'logic puzzle.' As a verb, it often appears in 'puzzle over,' 'puzzle out,' and the phrase 'it puzzles me.'