jigsaw puzzle
Definition
- Noun:
- A puzzle consisting of a picture mounted on a stiff backing and cut into numerous interlocking pieces that must be fitted together to recreate the original image. It is a type of recreational activity or game that tests a person's patience, spatial reasoning, and problem-solving skills.
Usage
- The term "jigsaw puzzle" is used as a countable noun. It refers to the physical object or the activity of solving it.
- It is typically used with verbs like , , , , , or .
- Example:
Examples
- Noun:
- We spent the entire weekend completing a 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle.
- The children spread the jigsaw puzzle pieces out on the table.
- He bought a beautiful jigsaw puzzle of a mountain landscape.
Advanced Usage
- "to be a jigsaw puzzle" (metaphorical): Used to describe a complex situation or problem where many pieces of information must be understood and fitted together to see the whole picture.
- Understanding the cause of the economic crisis is like solving a complex jigsaw puzzle.
Variants and Related Words
- Puzzle (n): A more general term for any game, problem, or toy designed to test ingenuity or knowledge. A jigsaw puzzle is a specific type of puzzle.
- Piece (n): One of the individual parts of a jigsaw puzzle.
Synonyms
- Picture puzzle: A less common synonym.
- Interlocking puzzle: A descriptive term emphasizing the mechanism of the pieces.
Related Phrases
- Jigsaw puzzle piece: Refers specifically to one individual component of the puzzle.
- I think this jigsaw puzzle piece belongs to the sky section.
- Jigsaw puzzle board/mat: A surface on which to assemble the puzzle.
Notes
- The name "jigsaw" originates from the specialized saw (a jigsaw) that was originally used to cut the puzzles from wood. Modern puzzles are typically made of cardboard.
- The complexity of a jigsaw puzzle is often described by its number of pieces (e.g., a 500-piece puzzle).
Noun
-
a puzzle that requires you to reassemble a picture that has been mounted on a stiff base and cut into interlocking pieces
