Puzzled

/ˈpʌz.əld/

Meaning & Definition

verb
To confuse or baffle someone.
The challenging riddle puzzled the contestants.
To think hard about something to find a solution or answer.
She puzzled over the clues left in the treasure hunt.
adjective
Confused or unable to understand something.
She looked puzzled when the teacher explained the complex math problem.
Perplexed or bewildered, often due to a lack of clarity or understanding.
He was puzzled by the strange behavior of his dog.
Having difficulty understanding something that is not clear or straightforward.
The instructions were so vague that I felt completely puzzled.

Etymology

The word 'puzzled' comes from the verb 'puzzle', which means to be in a state of perplexity or confusion.

Common Phrases and Expressions

puzzled look
A facial expression showing confusion or uncertainty.
puzzled over
To think carefully about something that is difficult to understand.

Related Words

puzzle
A game or problem designed to test ingenuity or knowledge.
muddle
To mix up in a confused or disordered manner.

Slang Meanings

Totally lost.
After hearing that explanation, I felt totally lost.
In the dark.
I was in the dark about what was happening.