puzzle

Noun
  1. A particularly baffling problem that is said to have a correct solution (synset 106797496)
    "he loved to solve chessmate puzzles"; "that's a real puzzler"
    is a type of: problem - a question raised for consideration or solution
    subtypes:
    • sudoku - a number puzzle in which the numbers 1 through 9 must be placed into a grid of cells so that each row or column contains only one of each number
    • acrostic, word square - a puzzle where you fill a square grid with words reading the same down as across
    same as: mystifier, puzzler, teaser
  2. A game that tests your ingenuity (synset 104034791)
    is a type of: game - the game equipment needed in order to play a particular game
    subtypes:
    • 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
    • crossword, crossword puzzle - a puzzle in which words corresponding to numbered clues are to be found and written in to squares in the puzzle
Verb
  1. Be a mystery or bewildering to (synset 200624056)
    "This beats me!"; "Got me--I don't know the answer!"; "a vexing problem"; "This question really stuck me"
    is a type of: bedevil, befuddle, confound, confuse, discombobulate, fox, fuddle, throw - be confusing or perplexing to; cause to be unable to think clearly
    subtypes:
    • mix up, stump - cause to be perplexed or confounded
    • riddle - set a difficult problem or riddle
    • elude, escape - be incomprehensible to; escape understanding by
    same as: amaze, baffle, beat, bewilder, dumbfound, flummox, get, gravel, mystify, nonplus, perplex, pose, stick, stupefy, vex
  2. Be uncertain about;
    Think about without fully understanding or being able to decide (synset 201835250)
    "We puzzled over her sudden departure"
    is a type of: chew over, contemplate, excogitate, meditate, mull, mull over, muse, ponder, reflect, ruminate, speculate, think over - reflect deeply on a subject

Other Searches