quiz
kwihz
Quiz (noun) means a short test of knowledge, often informal or for fun. Example: “We took a pop quiz on the reading first thing Monday morning.”
noun
1
A short test of knowledge, often informal or for fun.
"We took a pop quiz on the reading first thing Monday morning."
"The app sends you a daily quiz about current events."
"Our teacher gave us a ten-question quiz on the history chapter."
verb
1
To ask someone a series of questions to test what they know.
"She quizzed her son on his multiplication tables before the exam."
"Journalists quizzed the mayor about the new bus routes."
"My friends quizzed me about my holiday until I ran out of stories."
How to use quiz
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA short, often informal test — as a noun it is the test itself, as a verb it means to question someone to check what they know.
Common pairings
pop quiz
quiz show
quiz someone on
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Word forms
- Plural
- quizzes
- Third person singular
- quizzes
- Past tense
- quizzed
Fill the gap
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We took a pop _____ on the reading first thing Monday morning.
Etymology
First recorded in the 1780s with an unclear origin — early uses meant an odd or eccentric person, and the "test of knowledge" sense only became common in the 19th century.
Class of 1780
quiz joined the language around 1780.
See the full Class of 1780 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for quiz
See all rhymes for quiz →Frequently asked questions
What does “quiz” mean?
The word “quiz” means a short test of knowledge, often informal or for fun. In plain terms, a short, often informal test — as a noun it is the test itself, as a verb it means to question someone to check what they know.
How do you pronounce “quiz”?
“Quiz” is pronounced kwihz (/kwɪz/ in IPA).
How do you use “quiz” in a sentence?
Here is “quiz” used in a sentence: “We took a pop quiz on the reading first thing Monday morning.”
What part of speech is “quiz”?
Depending on how it is used, “quiz” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “quiz” come from?
The word “quiz” dates back to around 1780. First recorded in the 1780s with an unclear origin — early uses meant an odd or eccentric person, and the "test of knowledge" sense only became common in the 19th century.
Is “quiz” a common word?
“Quiz” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “quiz” have?
“Quiz” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a short test of knowledge, often informal or for fun.
What is the difference between a quiz and a test?
A quiz is typically a short test of knowledge and is often informal or done for fun, such as a pub quiz or an online quiz. A test usually implies a more formal, often graded assessment covering material in more depth.
What is the difference between a quiz and an exam?
A quiz is generally shorter, more informal, and lower-stakes than an exam, which tends to be a longer, more formal assessment with greater weight attached to the result. Quizzes are often used for quick checks of knowledge rather than final evaluation.
How is "quiz" used as a verb?
As a verb, "quiz" means to ask someone a series of questions to test what they know. It can be used both formally, as in academic testing, and informally, as in casually questioning a friend.
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