puzzled
PUH-zld
Puzzled (adj) means Confused or unable to understand something. Example: “She gave a puzzled look when he mentioned the meeting.”
adj
1
Confused or unable to understand something.
"Once or twice he scratched his head, and stared out of the window with a puzzled frown. And each time, after a brief survey of the other side of Half Moon Street, he turned back again to the breakfast table with a grin."
— Herman Cyril McNeile (1920)
"She gave a puzzled look when he mentioned the meeting."
How to use puzzled
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFeeling confused about something you can't quite work out.
Common pairings
puzzled expression
puzzled look
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more puzzled
- Superlative
- most puzzled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She gave a _____ look when he mentioned the meeting.
Synonyms
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nonplussed
nonplused
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “puzzled” mean?
The word “puzzled” means confused or unable to understand something. In plain terms, feeling confused about something you can't quite work out.
How do you pronounce “puzzled”?
“Puzzled” is pronounced PUH-zld (/ˈpʌ.zl̩d/ in IPA).
How do you use “puzzled” in a sentence?
Here is “puzzled” used in a sentence: “She gave a puzzled look when he mentioned the meeting.”
What part of speech is “puzzled”?
“Puzzled” is an adjective.
Is “puzzled” a common word?
“Puzzled” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
