How to pronounce puzzle
Say it like PUHZ-ul. Puzzle has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PUHZ).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce puzzle. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PUHZ
- ul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Puzzle pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PUHZSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- ulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of puzzle
American and British speakers say puzzle in essentially the same way: /ˈpʌzəl/ in the US and /ˈpʌzəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: PUHZ-ul.
What does puzzle mean?
- be a mystery or bewildering to“This beats me!”“Got me--I don't know the answer!”
- be uncertain about; think about without fully understanding or being able to decide“We puzzled over her sudden departure”
- a particularly baffling problem that is said to have a correct solution“he loved to solve chessmate puzzles”“that's a real puzzler”
- a game that tests your ingenuity
Where does puzzle come from?
The noun appears to be derived from the verb.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with puzzle
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of puzzle.
Questions about saying puzzle
How do you pronounce puzzle?
Say PUHZ-ul. The American pronunciation is /ˈpʌzəl/. In British English it is /ˈpʌzəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in puzzle?
Puzzle has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PUHZ). Broken into parts: PUHZ · ul.
Do Americans and Brits say puzzle the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈpʌzəl/ and the British form is /ˈpʌzəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.