PUZZLE
Dictionary entry overview: What does puzzle mean?
• PUZZLE (noun)
The noun PUZZLE has 2 senses:
1. a particularly baffling problem that is said to have a correct solution
2. a toy that tests your ingenuity
Familiarity information: PUZZLE used as a noun is rare.
• PUZZLE (verb)
The verb PUZZLE has 2 senses:
1. be a mystery or bewildering to
2. be uncertain about; think about without fully understanding or being able to decide
Familiarity information: PUZZLE used as a verb is rare.
Dictionary entry details
• PUZZLE (noun)
Meaning:
A particularly baffling problem that is said to have a correct solution
Classified under:
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents
Synonyms:
mystifier; puzzle; puzzler; teaser
Context examples:
he loved to solve chessmate puzzles / that's a real puzzler
Hypernyms ("puzzle" is a kind of...):
problem (a question raised for consideration or solution)
Meaning:
A toy that tests your ingenuity
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Hypernyms ("puzzle" is a kind of...):
plaything; toy (an artifact designed to be played with)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "puzzle"):
Chinese puzzle (intricate or ingenious puzzle consisting of boxes within boxes)
jigsaw puzzle (a puzzle that requires you to reassemble a picture that has been mounted on a stiff base and cut into interlocking pieces)
tangram (a Chinese puzzle consisting of a square divided into seven pieces that must be arranged to match particular designs)
• PUZZLE (verb)
Meaning:
Be a mystery or bewildering to
Classified under:
Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting
Synonyms:
mystify; nonplus; perplex; puzzle; flummox; dumbfound; baffle; bewilder; amaze; stupefy; gravel; vex; pose; stick; beat; get
Context examples:
This beats me! / Got me--I don't know the answer! / a vexing problem / This question really stuck me
Hypernyms (to "puzzle" is one way to...):
bedevil; befuddle; confound; confuse; discombobulate; fox; fuddle; throw (be confusing or perplexing to; cause to be unable to think clearly)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "puzzle"):
mix up; stump (cause to be perplexed or confounded)
riddle (set a difficult problem or riddle)
elude; escape (be incomprehensible to; escape understanding by)
Sentence frame:
Something ----s somebody
Sentence examples:
The bad news will puzzle him
The good news will puzzle her
The performance is likely to puzzle Sue
Also:
puzzle out (find the solution to (a problem or question) or understand the meaning of)
puzzle over (try to solve)
Meaning:
Be uncertain about; think about without fully understanding or being able to decide
Classified under:
Verbs of feeling
Context example:
We puzzled over her sudden departure
Hypernyms (to "puzzle" is one way to...):
chew over; contemplate; excogitate; meditate; mull; mull over; muse; ponder; reflect; ruminate; speculate; think over (reflect deeply on a subject)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s PP
Sentence example:
Sam and Sue puzzle over the results of the experiment
