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Glite Dictionary
quizzical

quizzical

8 7.1
A look that shows mild confusion and a little amusement
  • adjective
  • /ˈkwɪzɪkəl/
translation icon : inquisitivo
  • She raised an eyebrow and gave him a quizzical look when he explained his odd plan.
  • quizzical look
  • quizzical expression
  • quizzical glance

He gave me a quizzical look and said Nah, I'm OK.

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Examples

  • He gave me a quizzical look, but no reply.

    The Riddle (2007)

  • "It's all we've got," replied Brandon with a shrug and a quizzical look at her.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • "Well," she says, looking at me, her eyes quizzical, not knowing what to say.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • When he looked back, he saw that she was studying him with quizzical interest.

    Fiction book (1994)

  • Her head was on one side, her expression quizzical, as she watched his conflict.

    Fiction book (1990)

  • "Who's John Darms?" the judge asked and gave him a stern yet quizzical look.

    Fiction book (1995)

  • Edna had been listening with the intense, quizzical scrutiny that had always puzzled him.

    Fiction book (1993)

  • Mona murmured, surprising herself as well as Henry, who gave her a quizzical glance.

    Fiction book (1994)

  • Pabula rocks back on his heels, casts a quizzical glance over my head towards the door.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • She yells and darts up the stairs, not looking behind to see her brother watch her go holding the scarf, a quizzical expression on her face.

    cari can read

Synonyms

questioning
vsquizzical
3.9

Showing doubt or wanting to know more

is mildly puzzled and amused with a playful mocking tone rather than inquiry
teasing
vsquizzical
2.7

Playfully making fun of someone in a kind way

is more puzzled and amused while only hinting playful mockery not direct provocation

Antonyms

serious
452 1.4

Calm and focused, not playful or joking

unamused
1 4.1

Not finding something funny or enjoyable

How Puzzled

perplexed
7 5.1
baffled
3.9
bemused
3 6.7
puzzled
31 3.0
quizzical
8 7.1

Surface Forms

quizzical positive
quizzicaler comparative
quizzicalest superlative

Morphology

quizzical = quiz (semi-transparent) = quiz + ical

Formally derived from 'quiz' + '-ical' (relating to questioning), but the resultant sense 'mildly puzzled or amused' is somewhat indirect and not a literal 'relating to a test' for learners.

Etymology

Quizzical comes from the short word quiz, which first meant 'an odd person' and later came to mean a 'question' or test. One popular story says quiz was invented as a prank in Dublin, and a helpful way to remember quizzical is to picture someone asking or hearing a question with a puzzled, amused face, which is why quizzical means 'mildly puzzled or amused'.