quizzical

[ kwiz-i-kuhl ]
See synonyms for quizzical on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. odd, queer, or comical.

  2. questioning or puzzled: a quizzical expression on her face.

  1. derisively questioning, ridiculing, or chaffing.

Origin of quizzical

1
First recorded in 1790–1800; quiz + -ical

Other words from quizzical

  • quiz·zi·cal·i·ty, quiz·zi·cal·ness, noun
  • quiz·zi·cal·ly, adverb
  • un·quiz·zi·cal, adjective
  • un·quiz·zi·cal·ly, adverb

Words Nearby quizzical

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use quizzical in a sentence

  • She gave me a quizzical look,” recounts the president, “her slate-grey eyes widening as she tilted her head gently forward.

    The Princess and the President | Eric Pape | September 23, 2009 | THE DAILY BEAST
  • Osmond Orgreave entered the room, quizzical, and at once began to tease Clayhanger about the infrequency of his visits.

    Hilda Lessways | Arnold Bennett
  • "I don't know whether I like you or not," replied Edna, gazing down at the little woman with a quizzical look.

  • The look in her face was quizzical, yet there was a strange, elusive gravity in her eyes, an almost pathetic appealing.

  • Looking around, he saw the guide had flung aside his blanket and was sitting erect, with a quizzical expression on his face.

    Two Boys in Wyoming | Edward S. Ellis
  • On one sits a tiny boy with a quizzical intelligent little face.

British Dictionary definitions for quizzical

quizzical

/ (ˈkwɪzɪkəl) /


adjective
  1. questioning and mocking or supercilious: a quizzical look

Derived forms of quizzical

  • quizzicality, noun
  • quizzically, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012