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Definition of brainteaser

brainteaser

/ˈbreɪnˌtiː.zər/
brain · teas · er
Plural:brainteasers
•
Adjective:brainteasing
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brainteaser Lexical Profile

brainteaser Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A puzzle, riddle, or challenging problem that requires cleverness, unconventional thinking, or careful reasoning to solve, often posed for entertainment.

Example

"Our math teacher starts every Friday class with a fun brainteaser on the whiteboard to warm up our minds."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for brainteaser

• Nearby Words

brainstorm
brainstormer
brainstorming
brainteaser
brainwash
brainwasher
brainwashing

Word Origin & Etymology

First attested in the early 20th century, this compound word combines 'brain' (from Old English 'brægen') and 'teaser' (from Old English 'tæsan', originally meaning to comb or card wool, later evolving to mean to vex or provoke).

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Brainteaser. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/brainteaser
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