What does quizzical mean?
Word: Quizzical
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Quizzical means showing that you are slightly puzzled or curious about something, often in an amused way.
Synonyms: questioning, puzzled
Word origin: Formed in English in the late 1700s from the noun quiz.
How do you spell quizzical?
Syllables: quiz - zi - cal
Tricky part: Quiz doubles its z before an ending is added, so there are two z's in the middle. Students who keep quiz unchanged write quizical.
Watch out for: quizical, quisical
Memory tip: Quiz becomes quizzes, quizzed and quizzical: as soon as anything is added, the z doubles.
Quizzical in a sentence
Example 1: Dadi gave me a quizzical look when I came home with paint on my nose.
Example 2: The puppy tilted its head with a quizzical expression when the doorbell rang.
Example 3: With a quizzical smile, the librarian asked why I needed six books on volcanoes.
Fun Fact
In the 1700s a quiz was an odd-looking person, and quizzical first meant odd or comic; the puzzled, questioning sense came later.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Champ
Choose the correct option to make a meaningful word:
quizzi_ _ _
a) kal
b) cul
c) cal
d) cle
Show answer
c) cal. The adjective ending here is -cal, as in comical and magical.
Sound Check
In which word is 'qu' pronounced differently?
a) quiet
b) queen
c) quizzical
d) quay
Show answer
d) quay. Quay is said like key, with no 'kw' sound at all.
Spell Spies
Choose the incorrectly spelt word:
a) eloquant
b) mischievous
c) sarcastic
d) quizzical
Show answer
a) eloquant. Eloquent ends in -ent; the other three are spelt correctly.
Jumble Tumble
What is the meaning of the word that can be formed from the given letters?
zlicaquzi
a) describes a look that shows sharp anger
b) describes a look that shows great pride
c) describes a look that shows deep sorrow
d) describes a look that asks a silent question
Show answer
d) describes a look that asks a silent question. The letters make quizzical, the look of someone who is wondering.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. When a friend gives you a quizzical look after your answer, she is probably ___.
a) wondering what you meant
b) cross with you for days
c) agreeing with every word
d) about to fall asleep
Show answer
a) wondering what you meant
2. Which gesture would you call quizzical?
a) waving goodbye
b) clapping both hands
c) raising one eyebrow
d) bowing very low
Show answer
c) raising one eyebrow
