What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
quizzical
Example
She gave him a quizzical look when he told her the joke. [quizzical: adjective]
Example
He asked me a quizzical question about my background. [quizzical: adjective]
Example
The cat's quizzical behavior left us wondering what it was thinking. [quizzical: adjective]
perplexed
Example
I was perplexed by the math problem and couldn't figure out the solution. [perplexed: adjective]
Example
Her perplexed expression showed that she didn't understand the instructions. [perplexed: adjective]
Example
The detective was perplexed by the lack of evidence at the crime scene. [perplexed: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Perplexed is more commonly used than quizzical in everyday language. Perplexed is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while quizzical is less common and refers to a specific type of facial expression or tone of voice.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between quizzical and perplexed?
Both quizzical and perplexed are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
