Meaning & use

quizzically

adverb·Advanced

In a manner suggesting puzzlement, curiosity, or mild questioning, often through facial expression.

See it in a sentence

She looked at him quizzically, unsure whether he was joking or being serious.

The dog tilted its head quizzically at the strange noise coming from the kitchen.

A note on using this word

Almost always describes a facial expression, especially raised eyebrows or a tilted head, rather than speech itself.

Words with a similar meaning

curiously

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

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