puzzle Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun a particularly baffling problem that is said to have a correct solution
puzzler; mystifier; teaser.
- he loved to solve chessmate puzzles
- that's a real puzzler
noun a game that tests your ingenuity
verb be a mystery or bewildering to
mystify; perplex; bewilder; get; beat; pose; amaze; vex; baffle; flummox; stick; stupefy; gravel; nonplus; dumbfound.
- This beats me!
- Got me--I don't know the answer!
- a vexing problem
- This question really stuck me
verb be uncertain about; think about without fully understanding or being able to decide
- We puzzled over her sudden departure

For opposal, in the sense of problem. See Oppose, Pose, v.

Something which perplexes or embarrasses; especially, a toy or a problem contrived for testing ingenuity; also, something exhibiting marvelous skill in making.
The state of being puzzled; perplexity; as, to be in a puzzle.

imperfect & past participle Puzzled ; present participle & verbal noun Puzzling

To perplex; to confuse; to embarrass; to put to a stand; to nonplus.
A very shrewd disputant in those points is dexterous in puzzling others. Dr. H. More.

He is perpetually puzzled and perplexed amidst his own blunders. Addison.
To make intricate; to entangle.
They disentangle from the puzzled skein. Cowper.

The ways of Heaven are dark and intricate, Puzzled in mazes, and perplexed with error. Addison.
To solve by ingenuity, as a puzzle; -- followed by out; as, to puzzle out a mystery. Syn. -- To embarrass; perplex; confuse; bewilder; confound. See Embarrass.

To be bewildered, or perplexed.
A puzzling fool, that heeds nothing. L'Estrange.
To work, as at a puzzle; as, to puzzle over a problem.