Definition of puzzle. puzzled. ; puzzling. play \ˈpə-zə-liŋ, ˈpəz-liŋ\. transitive verb. 1 : to offer or represent to (as a person) a problem difficult to solve or a situation difficult to resolve : challenge mentally; also : to exert (as oneself) over such a problem or situation they puzzled their wits to find a solution.