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.

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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

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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

Titilope Olotu, a junior double-majoring in biology and women and reproductive health, said she used Bruin Learn to access and complete a quiz before her 8:30 a.m. class.

From Los Angeles Times • May 7, 2026

In March, it was announced that actor Michael Sheen will succeed Osman, 55, as the presenter of BBC Two quiz show House Of Games.

From BBC • May 5, 2026

Harmon started in the entertainment business as a child model and pageant queen and worked her way up through appearances on comedy and quiz shows.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

Morgan & Morgan, the nation’s largest personal-injury firm, has an ad seeking clients and offering a short quiz.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

He was always saying things like Wow, the weather is so weird today and How was your weekend? and Hey, did you study for the quiz on Friday? and it surprised me, every single time.

From "A Very Large Expanse of Sea" by Tahereh Mafi

Related Words

• grill
• inquire
• interrogate
• investigate
• query