quizzical

[kwiz-i-kuh l]

See more synonyms for quizzical on Thesaurus.com

adjective

odd, queer, or comical.
questioning or puzzled: a quizzical expression on her face.
derisively questioning, ridiculing, or chaffing.

Origin of quizzical

First recorded in 1790–1800; quiz + -ical

Related formsquiz·zi·cal·i·ty, quiz·zi·cal·ness, nounquiz·zi·cal·ly, adverbun·quiz·zi·cal, adjectiveun·quiz·zi·cal·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for quizzical

Contemporary Examples

Charles raised a quizzical eyebrow and it fell to his son to tell him, "Pa, you should be pleased!"
William Tells Dad, "You're Buff, Pa!"
Tom Sykes
July 9, 2014
Or perhaps name it after Pooh himself, with his quizzical faith in human (animal) nature?
Michael Tomasky on How Obama Needs to Make Mitt Unacceptable Again
Michael Tomasky
October 10, 2012
All of these tricks forced a furrowing of the brow, a quizzical expression, and the use of a little brain power to digest it all.
Paris Fall 2012 Fashion Week: Haider Ackermann, Lanvin, and Comme des Garçons
Robin Givhan
March 4, 2012
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

Historical Examples

And now, once again, there was a hint of the quizzical creeping in the smile.
Within the Law
Marvin Dana
Now, he stared at Burke with a quizzical grin crooking his lips.
Within the Law
Marvin Dana
"I was so anxious about you," she replied, with feeling, and then broke into a quizzical laugh.
The Cavalier
George Washington Cable
Rathburn looked through the front windows with a quizzical smile on his lips.
The Coyote
James Roberts
He turned to cast a quizzical glance at the back of the resentful lover.
Out of the Depths
Robert Ames Bennet

British Dictionary definitions for quizzical

quizzical

adjective

questioning and mocking or superciliousa quizzical look

Derived Formsquizzicality, nounquizzically, 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

Word Origin and History for quizzical

adj.

1789, from quiz "odd or eccentric person" (1782), of unknown origin (see quiz (n.)) + -ical. Related: Quizzically.

quizzical

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}quizzical

Examples from the Web for quizzical

Contemporary Examples

Charles raised a quizzical eyebrow and it fell to his son to tell him, "Pa, you should be pleased!"

Or perhaps name it after Pooh himself, with his quizzical faith in human (animal) nature?

All of these tricks forced a furrowing of the brow, a quizzical expression, and the use of a little brain power to digest it all.

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

Historical Examples

And now, once again, there was a hint of the quizzical creeping in the smile.

Now, he stared at Burke with a quizzical grin crooking his lips.

"I was so anxious about you," she replied, with feeling, and then broke into a quizzical laugh.

Rathburn looked through the front windows with a quizzical smile on his lips.

He turned to cast a quizzical glance at the back of the resentful lover.

quizzical

Word Origin and History for quizzical

adj.

Origin of quizzical