quizzical

[ kwiz-i-kuh l ]

/ ˈkwɪz ɪ kəl /

adjective

odd, queer, or comical.

questioning or puzzled: a quizzical expression on her face.

derisively questioning, ridiculing, or chaffing.

Nearby words

quixotism, quiz, quiz kid, quiz program, quizmaster, quizzical, quizzically, qum, qumran, qungur, quo

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. 2019

Examples from the Web for quizzically

She looked at me quizzically, and, with equal confusion, I shrugged.
The Extinction Parade: An Original Zombie Story by Max Brooks|Max Brooks|January 14, 2011|DAILY BEAST
She looked at Esther quizzically, then suddenly she held out her hand.
The Phantom Lover|Ruby M. Ayres
"I thought you were going home after this rise, Bill," I said quizzically, not surprised to find his early resolutions wavering.
In Search of El Dorado|Alexander MacDonald
After we had satisfied our hunger,—for neither of us had dined,—and poured out a bottle of claret, he looked up at me quizzically.
Richard Carvel, Complete|Winston Churchill

She looked back at me quizzically, and of a sudden she slipped her arm around my shoulders.
A Woman Named Smith|Marie Conway Oemler
Mr. Stanton never appreciates my stories,” 290 he said, quizzically, “and when he coughs that way I know what he means.
Chasing an Iron Horse|Edward Robins

British Dictionary definitions for quizzically

quizzical

/ (ˈkwɪzɪkəl) /

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 quizzically

quizzical

adj.

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