jigsaw

Everyday

1. A jigsaw (jigsaw puzzle) is a picture cut into many oddly shaped pieces that you fit together. tree →
2. A jigsaw is a saw with a thin blade for cutting curves in wood. tree →
3. A jigsaw can mean a difficult problem with many parts that must be fitted together. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life families do jigsaws on rainy days, starting with the edge and corner pieces. In maths, jigsaws help with shapes, rotating and fitting, and counting pieces (a 100-piece jigsaw). In design technology a jigsaw tool cuts curved shapes — only with adult supervision. In stories a detective fits clues together «like a jigsaw». Phrases: «do a jigsaw», «jigsaw puzzle», «the last piece of the jigsaw», «500-piece jigsaw».

Examples

• We did a 500-piece jigsaw on the kitchen table. tree →
• Start the jigsaw with the corner pieces. tree →
• The last piece of the jigsaw was missing! tree →
• My little brother likes jigsaws of animals. tree →
• The detective put the clues together like a jigsaw. tree →
• Dad cut the wooden shapes with a jigsaw. tree →
• This jigsaw has a picture of a castle. tree →
• Each jigsaw piece fits in only one place. tree →

Note

Countable. Jigsaws usually have 4 corner pieces, and edge pieces with one straight side. Maths: a jigsaw 20 pieces wide and 25 tall has 20 × 25 = 500 pieces. In the US people often just say «puzzle».