The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word NONPLUS
I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
N
O
N
P
L
U
S
More clues leading to the result NONPLUS
- Dicky close to Avril spun on floor
- Puzzle always negative?
- Puzzle lacking positive value?
- Number with advantage set about new puzzle
- Subzero puzzle?
- Puzzle no more?
- Confound Gainsbourg and Birkin’s work, in the end
- Record number’s written into newspaper about puzzle
- Puzzle only negative?
- Puzzle needs original name at top? Good point!
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "puzzle" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case puzzle = nonplus.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does NONPLUS mean?
NONPLUS noun- A state of perplexity or bewilderment.
- To perplex or bewilder someone; to confound or flummox