How Do You Spell PUZZLE?

Pronunciation: [pˈʌzə͡l] (IPA)

Puzzle is a word with a tricky spelling, as it does not follow the usual English orthographic rules. The IPA phonetic transcription for puzzle is /ˈpʌzəl/, which shows that the first syllable is pronounced with a short u sound, followed by the schwa vowel sound in the second syllable. The letter z in the middle of the word represents the voiced consonant /z/, while the final sound is the dark l, often pronounced as a syllabic l. Despite its spelling complexities, puzzles remain a beloved pastime for many people.

PUZZLE Meaning and Definition

  1. A puzzle refers to a challenging task or game that requires mental effort, logical thinking, and problem-solving skills to find the desired solution or reach a particular outcome. It typically involves the arrangement, rearrangement, or manipulation of various elements or pieces until they form a coherent whole or reveal the intended answer. Puzzles can come in various forms, such as jigsaw puzzles, crosswords, riddles, brain teasers, or other mind games.

    These stimulating activities often serve as recreational pastimes, educational tools, and sources of entertainment, engaging individuals of all ages and backgrounds. Puzzles offer a unique opportunity to exercise and develop cognitive abilities, including memory, attention, reasoning, and creativity.

    Solving a puzzle requires a systematic approach, persistence, and the ability to think flexibly, as it may involve trial and error or employing different strategies. They captivate the human mind by sparking curiosity, encouraging critical thinking, and fostering problem-solving skills. Puzzles often have a goal or an objective that participants aim to achieve, whether it is to complete a picture, decipher a code, or unravel a mystery.

    Furthermore, puzzles can have a wide range of difficulty levels. Some may be simple and straightforward, while others can prove highly complex, challenging even the most advanced thinkers. They provide a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction when successfully solved, as the individual engages in the process of uncovering patterns, making connections, and unraveling the enigma.

    Overall, puzzles offer an intellectually stimulating and engaging activity that not only provides entertainment but also fosters cognitive development and critical thinking skills.

  2. • Bewilderment; perplexity; something to try ingenuity.
    • To confuse; to bewilder; to be perplexed.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for PUZZLE *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for PUZZLE

Etymology of PUZZLE

The word "puzzle" originated from the Middle English word "pousel", which meant "bewilder". It further evolved from the Old French word "posse" or "puis" meaning "to question, interrogate". The ultimate origin is uncertain, but it is believed to have derived from the Latin word "pūtāre", meaning "to prune or clean". Over time, "puzzle" came to signify a perplexing or confusing problem that required mental effort to solve.

Idioms with the word PUZZLE

  • puzzle over sth The idiom "puzzle over sth" typically means to engage in deep or prolonged thought or contemplation in order to understand or find a solution to something that is confusing or perplexing. It refers to the act of intensely pondering or trying to figure out a particular problem, mystery, or question.
  • puzzle out The idiom "puzzle out" means to solve or figure out something that is difficult or confusing.
  • puzzle sth out To "puzzle something out" means to solve, understand, or figure out something that is complex, confusing, or difficult. It refers to the act of mentally working through a problem or situation in order to find a solution or gain comprehension. It involves using logic, analysis, and critical thinking to unravel or decipher something that is puzzling or mysterious.
  • puzzle out sth The idiom "puzzle out something" means to solve or find a solution to a difficult or complex problem through careful thought and analysis. It implies the act of figuring something out by piecing together various clues or information.
  • puzzle over sm or sth The idiom "puzzle over something or someone" means to think about or try to understand something or someone that is confusing or difficult to comprehend. It implies that the person is deeply contemplative and engaged in analyzing a particular issue or situation in an attempt to find a solution or comprehend its complexities.
  • puzzle over The idiom "puzzle over" refers to the act of pondering or trying to solve a problem or mystery, often involving deep thought, contemplation, or confusion. It suggests spending time and mental effort in attempting to understand or figure out something that is perplexing or challenging.
  • Chinese puzzle The idiom "Chinese puzzle" refers to a complex or intricate problem that is difficult to solve or understand. It typically implies a situation that requires patience, ingenuity, and careful thinking to unravel or comprehend. The term may also be used to describe something that appears confusing or unfathomable at first glance but becomes clearer with time and effort.

Similar spelling words for PUZZLE

Plural form of PUZZLE is PUZZLES

Conjugate verb Puzzle

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have puzzled
you would have puzzled
he/she/it would have puzzled
we would have puzzled
they would have puzzled
I would have puzzle
you would have puzzle
he/she/it would have puzzle
we would have puzzle
they would have puzzle

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been puzzling
you would have been puzzling
he/she/it would have been puzzling
we would have been puzzling
they would have been puzzling

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would puzzle
you would puzzle
he/she/it would puzzle
we would puzzle
they would puzzle

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be puzzling
you would be puzzling
he/she/it would be puzzling
we would be puzzling
they would be puzzling

FUTURE

I will puzzle
you will puzzle
he/she/it will puzzle
we will puzzle
they will puzzle

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be puzzling
you will be puzzling
he/she/it will be puzzling
we will be puzzling
they will be puzzling

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have puzzled
you will have puzzled
he/she/it will have puzzled
we will have puzzled
they will have puzzled

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been puzzling
you will have been puzzling
he/she/it will have been puzzling
we will have been puzzling
they will have been puzzling

IMPERATIVE

you puzzle
we let´s puzzle

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to puzzle

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was puzzling
you were puzzling
he/she/it was puzzling
we were puzzling
they were puzzling

PAST PARTICIPLE

puzzled

PAST PERFECT

I had puzzled
you had puzzled
he/she/it had puzzled
we had puzzled
they had puzzled

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been puzzling
you had been puzzling
he/she/it had been puzzling
we had been puzzling
they had been puzzling

PRESENT

I puzzle
you puzzle
he/she/it puzzles
we puzzle
they puzzle

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am puzzling
you are puzzling
he/she/it is puzzling
we are puzzling
they are puzzling

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

puzzling

PRESENT PERFECT

I have puzzled
you have puzzled
he/she/it has puzzled
we have puzzled
they have puzzled

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been puzzling
you have been puzzling
he/she/it has been puzzling
we have been puzzling
they have been puzzling

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it puzzle

SIMPLE PAST

I puzzled
you puzzled
he/she/it puzzled
we puzzled
they puzzled

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