crossword puzzle vs crossword

crossword puzzle and crossword both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
crossword puzzle	Yes	No	No	No
crossword	Yes	No	No	No

As nouns, crossword puzzle and crossword are synonyms defined as:

crossword puzzle and crossword: a puzzle in which words corresponding to numbered clues are to be found and written in to squares in the puzzle

crossword puzzle (noun)	crossword (noun)
a puzzle in which words corresponding to numbered clues are to be found and written in to squares in the puzzle	a puzzle in which words corresponding to numbered clues are to be found and written in to squares in the puzzle