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

• bantering
• chaffing
• fooling
• funning
• jesting
• joking
• joshing
• kidding
• rallying
• razzing
• ribbing

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

Goose is following his path, looking for brains and leaving laughter and quizzical looks behind. Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn. —Eric Fuller, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025

The nurse gave her a quizzical look and checked her file again, asking her to confirm her date of birth. —Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025

Noting the quizzical looks, Williams-Paisley pats the swan. —Eileen Finan, People.com, 18 Dec. 2024

Thornton fixed his eyes to the wall behind June’s head with a comical, quizzical look. —Daisy Hildyard, The New Yorker, 15 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1797, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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