quizzical

1 of 2

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

quizzicality

2 of 2

noun

quiz·​zi·​cal·​i·​ty ˌkwizəˈkalətē 

plural -es

: quizzicalness

quizzicality mixed with slow amiable shrewdness

—R. P. Warren

Synonyms of quizzical

Adjective

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

Examples of quizzical in a Sentence

Adjective

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

Adjective

Andrew Durand, with his handsome crab-apple features, makes a perfectly quizzical Benjamin; Kelsee Kimmel is stirring as his true love, who shares his age just once. — Dan Stahl, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026

Mann accepts it all gracefully, but there’s also something a bit quizzical and lost in his expression. — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 23 Oct. 2026

Long missing an eyebrow, the plushie looked forever quizzical. — Danielle Paquette, Washington Post, 8 Aug. 2026

Dozens of media outlets, from international agencies to local TV stations to true crime podcasters, were inside the Lexington County courthouse to again chronicle every forehead rub and quizzical look from the once rich and imposing Southern lawyer. — Jeffrey Collins, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

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