puzzle
/ˈpʌzəl/ verb C1- To cause (oneself or someone, or their mind, etc.) to feel confused or mystified because they cannot understand a complicated matter, a problem, etc.; to confuse, to mystify, to perplex.
- To use (one's brain or mind) to try to work out a complicated matter, a problem, etc.; also, to try to work out (a complicated matter, a problem, etc.).
- Often followed by about, over, or upon: to feel confused or mystified because one cannot understand a complicated matter, a problem, etc.
- Often followed by about, over, or or upon: to think deeply in bewilderment to try to work out a complicated matter, a problem, etc. · We puzzled over the curious-shaped lock, but were unable to discover how the key should be inserted.
- To search in a confused or mystified manner.
- Followed by through: to solve a complicated matter, a problem, etc., by working through confusing or difficult matters.
Plural puzzle · He/she/it puzzles · Past puzzled · Past participle puzzled · -ing form puzzling
Verb forms
- Base form
- puzzle
- He/she/it
- puzzles
- Past
- puzzled
- Past participle
- puzzled
- -ing form
- puzzling
Phrasal verbs and expressions
From the library
“It _is_ a long tail, certainly,” said Alice, looking down with wonder at the Mouse’s tail; “but why do you call it sad?” And she kept on puzzling about it while the Mouse was speaking, so that her idea of the tale was something like this:—
Here was another puzzling question; and as Alice could not think of any good reason, and as the Caterpillar seemed to be in a _very_ unpleasant state of mind, she turned away.
Alice was more and more puzzled, but she thought there was no use in saying anything more till the Pigeon had finished.
How puzzling all these changes are!
Other matches
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