Word
puzzled
Phoneticspuz·zled, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈpəzəɫd/
UK/pˈʌzəld/
Definition
adj. feeling confused because you do not understand something. You use this when you are trying to solve a problem or understand a situation that does not make sense.
adj. feeling or showing confusion or perplexity. Often used predicatively after linking verbs such as 'look', 'seem', or 'feel'.
Examples
“She looked puzzled when I told her the news.”
“The detective had a puzzled expression as he examined the locked room for any signs of entry.”
“Economists remain puzzled by the sudden shift in consumer behavior, as traditional models failed to predict such a rapid decline in spending despite rising wages.”
Examples
simple
“She looked puzzled when I told her the news.”
contextual
“The detective had a puzzled expression as he examined the locked room for any signs of entry.”
complex
“Economists remain puzzled by the sudden shift in consumer behavior, as traditional models failed to predict such a rapid decline in spending despite rising wages.”
Usage
Often followed by the prepositions 'by' or 'at' to indicate the cause of confusion.
Pitfall
I am puzzling about this
I am puzzled by this
Learners often confuse the participial adjective 'puzzled' (the feeling) with the present participle 'puzzling' (the thing causing the feeling).
Real-World Examples
“Arcel also won the festival’s best actress prize, the Volpi Cup, which puzzled some critics: usually, Venice doesn’t award more than one prize to a film.” “Russell Garwood, Paleontologist at The University of Manchester, added: " Praearcturus has puzzled us paleontologists for more than a century.” Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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