quiz

[kwiz]

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

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of quiz¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of quiz¹

C18: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

He even featured in a TV quiz show recorded months ago called The Smartest Person.

Read more on BBC

He reached the final of popular TV quiz show "The Smartest Person", filmed in spring but broadcast in the run-up to election day.

Read more on Barron's

When you’re finished reading, test your knowledge of Falco’s starring roles in our quiz at the end.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

When quizzed about extending that agreement in August, he insisted there had been no formal offer.

Read more on BBC

Downing Street has repeatedly refused to say when it was that ministers first learnt the CPS needed more evidence from the government, a point Jones is likely to be quizzed on.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• grill 
• inquire 
• interrogate 
• investigate 
• query