puzzle
gb/pˈʌzəl/ us/pˈʌzəl/
A2
English
~ 4800
rejtvény, kirakó, zavarba ejt, fejtörést okoz, összezavar, rejtély, talány
NOUN
A2
1
Usage pattern:
solve [a puzzle]
I spent the afternoon working on a jigsaw puzzle.
Délután egy kirakón dolgoztam.
This crossword puzzle is really challenging.
Ez a keresztrejtvény igazán nehéz.
The magazine includes a puzzle page for children.
He enjoys puzzles that require logical thinking.
The escape room was full of clever puzzles to solve.
Learner examples
I like to do a puzzle in the evening.
Szeretek esténként rejtvényt fejteni.
She is working on a big puzzle.
Egy nagy kirakón dolgozik.
This puzzle is very hard.
We finished the puzzle together.
The puzzle has one hundred pieces.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'puzzle' with 'riddle'. A riddle is usually a question with a hidden answer, while a puzzle can be physical or written and may not involve words.
Meaning
A game or problem to solve
Collocations
jigsaw puzzle
|crossword puzzle
|solve a puzzle
|word puzzle
|logic puzzle
Synonyms
brain-teaser (More informal; often used for short, tricky problems.)
Antonyms
solution (Refers to the answer to a puzzle, the opposite of the problem itself.)
Themes
games
|leisure
|thinking
|education
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A game or problem that you try to solve for fun or challenge.
A game, toy, or problem designed to test a person's ingenuity or knowledge.
VERB
B1
2
Usage pattern:
[something] puzzles [someone]
The strange message puzzled me for days.
A furcsa üzenet napokig fejtörést okozott nekem.
Her sudden disappearance puzzled the police.
Hirtelen eltűnése zavarba ejtette a rendőrséget.
It puzzles me why he refused the offer.
They were puzzled by the unexpected results.
His behavior puzzles everyone in the office.
Learner examples
The question puzzles me.
Ez a kérdés zavarba ejt.
Her words puzzle him.
A szavai zavarba ejtik őt.
It puzzles us why she left.
The story puzzles the children.
The problem puzzles the teacher.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'puzzle' instead of 'confuse' in very casual speech where 'confuse' would be more natural.
Meaning
To confuse or perplex someone
Collocations
puzzle over
|puzzle deeply
|be puzzled by
|puzzle greatly
Synonyms
confuse (More general; does not always imply deep thought to understand.)
Antonyms
clarify (Means to make something easier to understand, the opposite of puzzling.)
Themes
communication
|thinking
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To make someone feel confused because they cannot understand something.
To cause someone to feel confused because they cannot understand or explain something.
NOUN
B2
3
Usage pattern:
in a puzzle about [something]
His motives remain a puzzle to everyone.
Az indítékai továbbra is rejtélyt jelentenek mindenki számára.
The disappearance of the ship is still a puzzle.
A hajó eltűnése még mindig rejtély.
She looked at him in complete puzzle.
The case presents a real puzzle for investigators.
Learner examples
This is a puzzle to me.
Ez számomra rejtély.
Her actions are a puzzle.
A tettei rejtélyesek.
The reason is still a puzzle.
He is in a puzzle about what to do.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this noun form with 'problem'. A 'problem' needs solving; a 'puzzle' here focuses on the state of not understanding.
Meaning
A feeling of confusion or uncertainty
Collocations
in a puzzle
|cause a puzzle
|remain a puzzle
Synonyms
mystery (Can imply something unknown or secret, not just confusing.)
Antonyms
understanding (Knowing and making sense of something, opposite of being puzzled.)
Themes
emotions
|thinking
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A feeling of not understanding something.
A condition of being unable to understand or make sense of something.
Grammar
Dictionary form
puzzle
IPA
GB/pˈʌzəl/
US/pˈʌzəl/
Syllables & stress
puzzle (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (puzzle)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: puzzle
- Plural: puzzles
Verb
- Base: puzzle
- 3rd Person Singular: puzzles
- Present Participle: puzzling
- Past: puzzled
Word family
Forms
puzzles
noun
puzzling
verb
puzzled
verb
Related words
puzzler
noun
puzzlement
noun
Advanced or less common
puzzlingly
adverb
Expressions
be puzzled by
1/bˈi pˈʌzəld bˈaɪ/
fixed phrase
Feel confused about something
To feel confused because you do not understand something.
Examples
- I was puzzled by his sudden decision to leave.
- Many people are puzzled by the new rules.
puzzle over
1/pˈʌzəl ˈoʊvɚ/
phrasal verb
Think hard about something confusing
To think for a long time about something you do not understand.
Examples
- She puzzled over the strange note for hours.
- Scientists are still puzzling over the results of the experiment.
remain a puzzle
1/ɹɪmˈeɪn ə pˈʌzəl/
fixed phrase
Continue to be hard to understand
To still be something that people cannot understand or explain.
Examples
- The cause of the fire remains a puzzle to investigators.
- His true feelings remain a puzzle even now.