quirk
Americannoun
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a peculiarity of action, behavior, or personality; mannerism.
He is full of strange quirks.
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a shift, subterfuge, or evasion; quibble.
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a sudden twist or turn.
He lost his money by a quirk of fate.
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a flourish or showy stroke, as in writing.
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Architecture.
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an acute angle or channel, as one dividing two parts of a molding or one dividing a flush bead from the adjoining surfaces.
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an area taken from a larger area, as a room or a plot of ground.
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an enclosure for this area.
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Obsolete. a clever or witty remark; quip.
adjective
noun
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an individual peculiarity of character; mannerism or foible
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an unexpected twist or turn
a quirk of fate
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a continuous groove in an architectural moulding
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a flourish, as in handwriting
Synonym Usage
See eccentricity.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of quirk
First recorded in 1540–50; origin uncertain
Explanation
A quirk is a unique, odd, and sometimes charming trait that makes a person stand out from the crowd. Country comedian Minnie Pearl was known for her quirk of wearing a $1.98 price tag dangling from her hat. A quirk can be an adorable little habit, like wearing flowery dresses and big sun bonnets or bow ties every day. Someone who has one or many quirks is said to be quirky — a little odd, but usually in a fun way. When it's not being used to describe people's unusual traits, quirk can mean a quick curve, or a groove, that runs along or separates the molding in a building.
Vocabulary lists containing quirk
40 SAT words Beginning with "Q"
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The Witch of Blackbird Pond
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The Poet X
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Attorneys William D. Marler and Trevor Quirk filed a personal injury lawsuit May 29 in Los Angeles County Superior Court on behalf of Samantha Sabaite and her child.
From Los Angeles Times • May 31, 2026
Quirk, who is already a Brentwood borough councillor, told BBC Essex presenter Sonia Watson people were disappointed with the Tories' tenure on the county council, including their record on increasing council tax and on potholes.
From BBC • May 8, 2026
Quirk argued that by making the platform better for those heavy-duty customers, it would improve it for everyone.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 26, 2025
Many customers start with speculating and move on to saving, says Quirk.
From Barron's • Nov. 14, 2025
"Why, Gammon, you see, if he goes abroad," said Quirk, after a long pause—"we lose him forever."
From Ten Thousand a-Year. Volume 1. by Warren, Samuel
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
