quiz

[kwiz]

noun

plural

quizzes 

1. an informal test or examination of a student or class.

2. a questioning.

3. a practical joke; a hoax.

4. Chiefly British.,  an eccentric, often odd-looking person.

verb (used with object)

quizzed, quizzing 

1. to examine or test (a student or class) informally by questions.

2. to question closely.

   The police quizzed several suspects.

3. Chiefly British.,  to make fun of; ridicule; mock; chaff.

quiz

/ kwɪz /

noun

1. 1. an entertainment in which the general or specific knowledge of the players is tested by a series of questions, esp as a radio or television programme

   2. ( as modifier )

      a quiz programme

2. any set of quick questions designed to test knowledge

3. an investigation by close questioning; interrogation

4. obsolete,  a practical joke; hoax

5. obsolete,  a puzzling or eccentric individual

6. obsolete,  a person who habitually looks quizzically at others, esp through a small monocle

verb

1. to investigate by close questioning; interrogate

2. informal,  to test or examine the knowledge of (a student or class)

3. obsolete,  (tr) to look quizzically at, esp through a small monocle

Other Word Forms

• quizzable adjective
• quizzer noun
• unquizzable adjective
• unquizzed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of quiz¹

1775–85 in sense “odd person”; 1840–50 quiz for def. 1; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of quiz¹

C18: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

That left Harbaugh to focus on the reserves, often running Saturday quizzes on the game plan.

From Los Angeles Times

They quizzed relatives, friends and staff at the venue, even asking the wedding photographer about the guest.

From BBC

Prosecutor Rosalind Scott Bell said it happened on 14 September 2024 at the Focal Countdown Group event, where ex-contestants were due to play against fans of the Channel 4 quiz show.

From BBC

Instead, they quiz Republicans about bipartisanship, which is meaningless in this environment.

From Salon

We've crunched the numbers on a wide range of categories to put the information at your fingertips - and if that's not enough, we've got a quiz at the end to work it all for you.

From BBC

Related Words

• grill 
• inquire 
• interrogate 
• investigate 
• query