What’s an -Ology, Anyway?
Ever heard a word that ends in “-ology” and thought, “That sounds fancy, but what does it actually mean?” You’re not the only one. Sure, we all know terms like biology, psychology, and geology, but then you stumble across something like apiology and wonder if it’s even a real word.
Well, this -ology quiz is here to help clear that up—and throw in a few brain-busters for good measure.
So, what does the “-ology” part really mean? It comes from the Greek word logos, which means “word” or “discourse.” Over time, it evolved to mean “the study of.” So when you hear a word ending in -ology, it’s usually a term for the study of something. And trust us, humans love studying just about anything. Whether it’s clouds, cheese, or clowns (yep, those are real -ologies), there’s an academic term for it.
Whether you’re a trivia pro, a curious learner, or just here to flex your vocabulary, you’ve come to the right place.
Common -Ologies You Should Know
Humans have this incredible obsession with categorizing the world around us. If something exists, someone’s studied it—and probably given it an -ology name.
You might think some of these sound made up. Like oenology—sounds like it could be straight out of a fantasy novel, but it’s actually the study of wine. Or horology—nope, it’s not about horses. It’s the study of clocks and timekeeping.
Here are some common -ologies you probably already know:
- Biology – the study of living organisms
- Psychology – the study of the mind and behavior
- Geology – the study of the Earth, rocks, and landforms
- Sociology – the study of human society
- Anthropology – the study of humans and cultures
- Ecology – the study of how living things interact with their environment
- Astrology – while not a science, it’s the study of how celestial bodies supposedly influence human lives
- Criminology – the study of crime and criminal behavior
But wait—there’s more! You’ve got quirky ones like philematology (the study of kissing), cynology (the study of dogs), and dendrology (the study of trees). Get ready to walk away with some seriously cool trivia knowledge!
How to Take This -Ology Vocabulary Quiz
- Read each question and the four possible answers carefully.
- Pick the answer you think is correct.
- After each question, you’ll get a brief explanation—so even if you get it wrong, you’ll still learn something new.
- There are 24 questions in total, and each one will earn you points toward your final score.
- Your result will show how many you got right, plus a fun bonus question you can answer in the comments.
Some of these -ology terms are pretty straightforward—volcanology is exactly what you’d expect. But others, like speleology and rheology, might throw you off a bit.
Don’t worry if you don’t know all the answers! Trust your gut, make a guess if you’re unsure, and remember: it’s not about being perfect. You’ll actually learn more from the mistakes than from the wins.
Can You Match the -ology to What It Actually Studies?
This quiz isn’t here to trip you up or make you feel bad. It’s all about celebrating weird and wonderful knowledge while having fun. Whether you ace it or discover ten new facts, you’re still a winner. Take your time, enjoy the process, and see how many -ologies you can identify (or hilariously misinterpret).
Ready? Let’s see what you know. Hit that first question and let’s go!
