Definition

1. Noun:
   • A word game: A crossword puzzle is a word game where the solver fills white squares with letters to form words or phrases based on given clues. The grid is typically square or rectangular, with black squares separating the words.
   • A type of mental challenge: It is a popular form of puzzle that tests vocabulary, general knowledge, and reasoning skills.

Examples

• Noun:
  • She completes the crossword puzzle in the newspaper every morning.
  • This book contains 100 challenging crossword puzzles.
  • He is stuck on a clue for the crossword puzzle.

Advanced Usage

• "to do/solve a crossword puzzle": The standard phrase for the activity of working on it.
  • My grandfather likes to do the crossword puzzle with his morning coffee.
• "crossword puzzle enthusiast/aficionado": Refers to a person who is very fond of and skilled at solving them.
  • As a crossword puzzle aficionado, she subscribes to several puzzle magazines.

Variants and Related Words

• Crossword (n): A common shortened form of "crossword puzzle."
  • The Sunday crossword is the most difficult one.
• Puzzle (n): A general term for a game, problem, or toy that tests ingenuity or knowledge. A crossword puzzle is a specific type of puzzle.
  • Jigsaw puzzles and crossword puzzles are her favorites.

Synonyms

• Word puzzle: A general term for puzzles involving words, such as anagrams or cryptograms.
• Brainteaser: A problem or puzzle that requires thought to solve.

Related Phrases

• Crossword puzzle clue: The hint or question that corresponds to a word in the grid.
  • The crossword puzzle clue for "feline" was "cat."
• Crossword puzzle grid: The diagram of white and black squares where the answers are written.
  • The crossword puzzle grid was a standard 15x15 layout.

Idioms

(No specific idioms are commonly derived from "crossword puzzle." The term itself is typically used literally.)

Noun

1. a puzzle in which words corresponding to numbered clues are to be found and written in to squares in the puzzle