crossword puzzle: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal to Neutral
Quick answer
What does “crossword puzzle” mean?
A word game in which the solver fills white squares of a grid with letters, based on intersecting answers to numbered clues.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A word game in which the solver fills white squares of a grid with letters, based on intersecting answers to numbered clues.
More broadly, any intellectually challenging problem that requires careful thought and the piecing together of information. Can metaphorically describe complex situations requiring solution through the connection of disparate facts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'crossword' is the dominant term. In the US, both 'crossword' and 'crossword puzzle' are common, with 'crossword puzzle' being slightly more formal.
Connotations
Generally neutral, though may connote leisure, intellect, and traditional pastimes in both regions.
Frequency
Higher frequency in everyday speech in the UK, especially regarding specific publications like 'The Times crossword'.
Grammar
How to Use “crossword puzzle” in a Sentence
solve + [crossword puzzle]be stuck on + [crossword puzzle]fill in + [crossword puzzle]complete + [crossword puzzle]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “crossword puzzle” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- He has a crossword-puzzle mind, always making connections.
- It was a crossword-puzzle kind of mystery.
American English
- She's a crossword-puzzle champion.
- He faced a crossword-puzzle dilemma at work.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in metaphorical use: 'Deciphering the market data is like solving a crossword puzzle.'
Academic
Rare, except in studies of leisure, cognition, or linguistics.
Everyday
Common in the context of leisure activities, newspapers, and apps.
Technical
Used in game design, publishing, and puzzle construction contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “crossword puzzle”
Neutral
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “crossword puzzle”
- Incorrect plural: 'crosswords puzzle' (should be 'crossword puzzles').
- Misspelling as 'cross-word puzzle' or 'cross word puzzle'.
- Using as a verb: e.g., 'I crossworded this morning.' (Incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
There is no significant difference in meaning. 'Crossword' is often a shortened form of 'crossword puzzle'. Using the full phrase can sometimes sound slightly more formal or emphatic.
No, it is exclusively a noun. You cannot say 'to crossword puzzle'. The appropriate verbs are 'solve', 'do', 'complete', or 'work on' a crossword puzzle.
No. 'Crossword' is a closed compound, and 'crossword puzzle' is an open compound noun. It is not standard to write it as 'crossword-puzzle'.
A common mistake is using an incorrect verb, such as 'play' (which is used for games with more active rules) or 'write'. The standard verb is 'solve' or the more general 'do'.
A word game in which the solver fills white squares of a grid with letters, based on intersecting answers to numbered clues.
Crossword puzzle is usually informal to neutral in register.
Crossword puzzle: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkrɒs.wɜːd ˌpʌz.l̩/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkrɔːs.wɝːd ˌpʌz.l̩/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's not a crossword puzzle. (Said to indicate something should be straightforward, not a complex riddle.)”
- “To be like a crossword puzzle (to be complex and difficult to understand).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of CROSS + WORD: words that CROSS over each other in a grid make this PUZZLE.
Conceptual Metaphor
A COMPLEX PROBLEM IS A PUZZLE (e.g., 'Life's mysteries are one big crossword puzzle.'); LOGICAL THINKING IS NAVIGATING A GRID.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the most common and natural collocation?