verb

puzzle

PUH-zuhl

verb

To confuse or mystify someone.

"The strange results puzzled the scientists for months."

"His sudden silence puzzled everyone at the table."

To think hard about something confusing in order to work it out.

"She puzzled over the riddle for a good ten minutes."

noun

A game, toy, or problem designed to test ingenuity or knowledge.

"He finished the jigsaw puzzle in a single afternoon."

How to Use Puzzle

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo confuse someone, or to think hard trying to solve something confusing.

Common pairings

puzzle over crossword puzzle piece together the puzzle

Word Forms

puzzled past tense, puzzle plural, puzzled plural, puzzles singular, puzzle singular, puzzled singular, puzzlest singular, puzzledst singular, puzzleth singular

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “puzzle” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

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.

Rhymes for puzzle

muzzle guzzle

See all rhymes for puzzle →