brainteaser

B3R1A1I1N1T1E1A1S1E1R1
US/ˈbɹeɪnˌtizɚ/

noun

A problem or puzzle devised to exercise the brain and mind.

“Trying to figure out how to square this circle is a brainteaser to say the least.”

Similar
brain-ticklerstumperpuzzlerenigma
UncommonScrabble 13
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Meanings

nounbrainteaser (plural brainteasers)

plural brainteasers · alternative brain teaser · alternative brain-teaser

  1. informalA problem or puzzle devised to exercise the brain and mind.

    She bought me a book of brainteasers, which is both entertaining and also supposedly good for decreasing dementia risk.

    Synonyms: brain-tickler

  2. informalAny difficult problem or puzzle.

    Trying to figure out how to square this circle is a brainteaser to say the least.

    Synonyms: stumper, puzzler, enigma

Synonyms & antonyms

nounA problem or puzzle devised to exercise the brain and mind.

Similar
brain-tickler

nounAny difficult problem or puzzle.

Similar
stumperpuzzlerenigma
Also see
puzzlepuzzler

Origin

From brain + teaser.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Czech hlavolam, oříšek
  • hlavolambrainteaser
  • oříšekbrainteaser
German Kopfnuss, Kopfnuß
  • Kopfnussbrainteaser
  • Kopfnußbrainteaser
  • Denkaufgabebrainteaser
  • Denksportaufgabebrainteaser
  • harte Nussbrainteaser
  • harte Nußbrainteaser
  • Knobeleibrainteaser
Greek σπαζοκεφαλιά
  • σπαζοκεφαλιά (spazokefaliá)brainteaser
Polish łamigłówka, rozkmina
  • łamigłówkabrainteaser
  • rozkminabrainteaser
Swahili chemsha bongo
  • chemsha bongobrainteaser
Swedish hjärngymnastik
  • hjärngymnastikbrainteaser
Cite this entry
APA

brainteaser. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/brainteaser

MLA

“brainteaser.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/brainteaser. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “brainteaser,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/brainteaser.

Source: brainteaser on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.