brain-teaser: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal, occasionally semi-formal in educational contexts.
Quick answer
What does “brain-teaser” mean?
A puzzle or problem that requires careful thought to solve.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A puzzle or problem that requires careful thought to solve.
Any challenging intellectual problem, riddle, or puzzle designed to test ingenuity, logic, or lateral thinking.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Both varieties use the term identically.
Connotations
Slightly more common in American English in casual contexts, but equally understood in British English.
Frequency
Moderate frequency in both varieties, common in puzzle books, educational materials, and casual conversation.
Grammar
How to Use “brain-teaser” in a Sentence
[Subject] + posed/presented + a brain-teaser + [to Object][Subject] + solved/figured out + the brain-teaserVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “brain-teaser” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- This puzzle is designed to brain-tease the most logical minds.
- He loves to brain-tease his students with lateral thinking problems.
American English
- The game show brain-teases its contestants with visual puzzles.
- Don't try to brain-tease me with your riddles!
adverb
British English
- The clues were arranged brain-teasingly throughout the room.
- He smiled brain-teasingly as he presented the riddle.
American English
- The plot unfolded brain-teasingly, keeping viewers guessing.
- She phrased the question brain-teasingly.
adjective
British English
- It was a brain-teasing puzzle that took all afternoon.
- The book is full of brain-teasing activities.
American English
- She enjoys brain-teasing games like Sudoku.
- The final round featured a brain-teasing logic problem.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; might be used metaphorically for a complex strategic problem.
Academic
Used in educational contexts, especially in logic, maths, or cognitive science.
Everyday
Common when discussing puzzles, games, or tricky problems.
Technical
Not typically used in highly technical fields; more informal.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “brain-teaser”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “brain-teaser”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “brain-teaser”
- Using 'brain-teaser' for a serious scientific problem (too informal).
- Misspelling as 'brain teaser' (open compound) is common but the hyphenated form is preferred.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both 'brain-teaser' (hyphenated) and 'brainteaser' (closed) are acceptable. Dictionaries often list the hyphenated form first, but the one-word version is increasingly common.
A riddle is typically a question or statement phrased metaphorically, requiring clever interpretation. A brain-teaser is a broader term encompassing riddles, logic puzzles, maths problems, and visual puzzles—any problem that 'teases' the brain.
It is generally considered informal. In formal academic or technical writing, more specific terms like 'logical puzzle', 'cognitive task', or 'problem-solving exercise' are preferred.
It is non-standard and very informal, but occasionally used playfully (e.g., 'He brain-teased us with a tricky question'). It is not found in formal dictionaries.
A puzzle or problem that requires careful thought to solve.
Brain-teaser: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbreɪn ˌtiːzə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbreɪn ˌtiːzər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's a real brain-teaser.”
- “That'll be a brain-teaser for you.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a TEASER (someone who provokes) pulling on your BRAIN, making it work hard to find an answer.
Conceptual Metaphor
THINKING IS A PHYSICAL CHALLENGE (a 'teaser' tugs at or provokes the brain).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is LEAST likely to be described as a 'brain-teaser'?