quiz

American  

[kwiz] / kwɪz /

noun

plural

quizzes

1. an informal test or examination of a student or class.

2. a questioning.

3. a practical joke; a hoax.

4. Chiefly British. an eccentric, often odd-looking person.

---

verb (used with object)

quizzed, quizzing

1. to examine or test (a student or class) informally by questions.

2. to question closely.

   The police quizzed several suspects.

3. Chiefly British. to make fun of; ridicule; mock; chaff.

quiz British  

/ kwɪz /

noun

1. 1. an entertainment in which the general or specific knowledge of the players is tested by a series of questions, esp as a radio or television programme

   2. ( as modifier )

      a quiz programme

2. any set of quick questions designed to test knowledge

3. an investigation by close questioning; interrogation

4. obsolete a practical joke; hoax

5. obsolete a puzzling or eccentric individual

6. obsolete a person who habitually looks quizzically at others, esp through a small monocle

---

verb

1. to investigate by close questioning; interrogate

2. informal to test or examine the knowledge of (a student or class)

3. obsolete (tr) to look quizzically at, esp through a small monocle

Other Word Forms

• quizzable
  adjective
• quizzer
  noun
• unquizzable
  adjective
• unquizzed
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of quiz

1775–85 in sense “odd person”; 1840–50 quiz for def. 1; origin uncertain

Explanation

A quiz is a short series of questions with a quick result. A magazine quiz might tell a reader if "he's into you," or a pop quiz in English class will let your teacher know how far you got (or didn't get) in last night's reading. As a verb, quiz means to ask a series of questions. A teacher might quiz his students on the material covered in lecture the day before. A mother might quiz her son as to his plans for after school. The questioning meaning of the noun and verb came into use in the mid-nineteenth century, possibly influence by words like inquisitive. Before that, quiz could refer to an odd or unconventional person, a meaning which eventually gave rise to quizzical, still in use today.

Example Sentences

Interpath, the restructuring advisor managing the chain's administration, said that Quiz concession stands, which operate in New Look and Matalan stores in the UK, are not part of the administration processes.

From BBC • Feb. 5, 2026

Products purchased online or in a Quiz shop before 5 February can still be exchanged in person, but card or cash refunds will not be given.

From BBC • Feb. 5, 2026

Customers who have already returned items purchased via the website, but who have yet to receive a refund, will not receive a refund from Quiz.

From BBC • Feb. 5, 2026

Daniel Akst, who writes the Journal’s weekly News Quiz, is the publisher of Tivoli Books.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 18, 2025

Auntie Fatima declares that the leftover candy will go to the mosque to be distributed at the Fun-Fun-Fun Islamic Quiz Game.

From "Saints and Misfits" by S.K. Ali

Related Words

• grill
• inquire
• interrogate
• investigate
• query