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

• quizzer noun
• quizzable adjective
• 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

When music meets football - can you beat our lyrics quiz?

Read more on BBC

"We quizzed a lot of people before we started, and 99 percent of the people that we talked to said sure, they'd be glad to go," White said.

Read more on Barron's

Newsom visited the White House in September, where officials from the National Energy Dominance Council quizzed him on his company’s investment plans, emphasizing the need for power to win the AI race.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

After practice, he quizzed his backups on who could draw up the most detailed play.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The Wall Street Journal visited some who have made crisis prep a way of life—and quizzed them about what they have packed and why.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• grill 
• inquire 
• interrogate 
• investigate 
• query