quirky

[kwur-kee]

adjective

quirkier, quirkiest 

1. having or full of quirks.

Other Word Forms

• quirkily adverb
• quirkiness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of quirky¹

First recorded in 1800–10; quirk + -y ¹

Example Sentences

Amendments were increasingly tied to technological innovations and quirky moral crusades, such as Prohibition.

From Los Angeles Times

Queen Camilla will show Melania one of the quirkier items in Windsor, a remarkable dolls' house, made a century ago by the architect Sir Edwin Lutyens.

From BBC

The event saw drivers compete in a series of tram-based challenges, including quirky tasks of bowling and curling using the vehicle.

From BBC

Known to many as the theme song to BBC Radio 4's The News Quiz, it was a quirky highlight that Bailey dedicated to his late mother.

From BBC

His tools were rhythm, accents and dynamics, each a quirky new toy.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bizarre 
• idiosyncratic 
• odd 
• off-the-wall 
• peculiar 
• strange 
• unconventional 
• unusual 
• wacky 
• weird 

When To Use

What does quirky mean?

Quirky describes something that has or is full of quirks, which are odd or unusual qualities.Usually, a person is described as quirky when they behave in a way or have qualities that are unique to them or that set them apart from others. Things are described as quirky when they have odd qualities. A quirky house, for example, might be painted fluorescent colors or have an odd shape.Examples:

• Because Janet dyes her hair bright green and wears roller skates more than shoes, people think of her as quirky. 



• The painting’s irregular shapes and vivid colors give it a quirky feel.