quizzical

adjective

quiz·​zi·​cal ˈkwi-zi-kəl 

1

: comically quaint

a quizzical old man

2

: mildly teasing or mocking

a quizzical remark

3

: expressive of puzzlement, curiosity, or disbelief

raised a quizzical eyebrow

quizzicality

ˌkwi-zə-ˈka-lə-tē 

noun

quizzically

ˈkwi-zi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• joking
• sarcastic
• kidding
• mocking
• bantering
• jesting
• razzing

Examples of quizzical in a Sentence

He gave me a quizzical look.

There was a quizzical expression on his face.

She raised a quizzical eyebrow when she saw what he was wearing.

Recent Examples on the Web

In a YouTube video, the robot’s head glances around with a quizzical expression and blinks in a way that is eerily lifelike. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 22 Sep. 2025

Louie is summoned to the apartment of Joe Black, a higher-up gangster played by John Malkovich with a manner so quizzical yet threatening that his voice just about quivers with unexpressed rage. —Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 3 Sep. 2025

Cue a quizzical look from Sting. —Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 8 Aug. 2025

The Fed chair shot Trump a quizzical look that appeared both aghast and confused. —David Goldman, CNN Money, 24 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1797, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for quizzical

• physical
• astrophysical
• biophysical
• geophysical
• metaphysical
• psychophysical
• thermophysical
• nonphysical

Kids Definition

quizzical

adjective

quiz·​zi·​cal ˈkwiz-i-kəl 

1

: teasing in a good-natured way

2

a

: showing doubt in a good-natured way

b

: showing puzzlement or curiosity

quizzically

-k(ə-)lē 

adverb