Puzzled

Pronunciation: /ˈpʌzld/

Definitions of puzzled

adjective feeling or showing confusion because something is difficult to understand or solve

Example Sentences

A1 The children looked puzzled when they couldn't solve the simple puzzle.

A2 She was puzzled by the instructions on the new microwave.

B1 The tourists were puzzled by the street signs written in a foreign language.

B2 The scientist was puzzled by the unexpected results of the experiment.

C1 The detective was puzzled by the lack of evidence in the case.

C2 The professor was puzzled by the student's unconventional approach to the problem.

Examples of puzzled in a Sentence

formal The scientist was puzzled by the unexpected results of the experiment.

informal I'm really puzzled about why she didn't show up to the party.

slang I was totally puzzled by his strange behavior last night.

figurative The complex riddle left me puzzled for hours.

Grammatical Forms of puzzled

• past tense: puzzled
• plural: puzzled
• comparative: more puzzled
• superlative: most puzzled
• present tense: puzzle
• future tense: will puzzle
• perfect tense: have puzzled
• continuous tense: is puzzling
• singular: puzzled
• positive degree: puzzled
• infinitive: to puzzle
• gerund: puzzling
• participle: puzzling

Origin and Evolution of puzzled

First Known Use: 1400 year

Language of Origin: Middle English

Story behind the word: The word 'puzzled' originated from the Middle English word 'pouslen' meaning 'to be perplexed or confused'.

Evolution of the word: Over time, the word 'puzzled' has retained its meaning of being confused or perplexed, but has also come to be associated with solving problems or riddles.