puzzle
word
/ˈpəzəɫ/
PUH-zuhl
/pˈʌzəl/
PUH-zuhl
Definition
A puzzle is a game, problem, or toy that tests your thinking and ability to solve something. It can also mean something or someone that is difficult to understand.
Usage & Nuances
Often used for both physical games like a jigsaw and mental problems like a logic puzzle. In natural English, 'be a puzzle' means 'be confusing': 'His reaction is a puzzle to me.' Common combinations include 'solve a puzzle', 'do a puzzle', and 'piece of a puzzle'.
Spanish: rompecabezas - acertijoPortuguese (BR): quebra-cabeça - enigmaPortuguese (PT): puzzle - quebra-cabeças - enigmaChinese (Simplified): 拼图 - 谜题Chinese (Traditional): 拼圖 - 謎題Hindi: पहेली - जिग्सॉ पज़लArabic: أحجية - لغزBengali: ধাঁধা - পাজলRussian: головоломка - загадкаJapanese: パズル - なぞVietnamese: câu đố - trò xếp hìnhKorean: 퍼즐 - 수수께끼Turkish: bulmaca - bilmeceUrdu: پہیلی - پزلIndonesian: teka-teki - puzzle
Example Sentences
This puzzle has one hundred pieces.
basic
We finished the puzzle before dinner.
basic
The math question was a puzzle for me.
basic
Her smile was a puzzle—I couldn't tell if she was joking.
natural
We spent the whole rainy afternoon doing a puzzle.
natural
I'm still trying to puzzle out why the door was open.
natural