quirky
Americanadjective
-
quirkier,
comparative
-
quirkiest
superlative
Usage
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.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Adjectives
Etymology
Origin of quirky
Explanation
Your friend with the pink hair, the excellent vocabulary, and the totally inappropriate wit? You could probably call her quirky, meaning she’s unconventional and has a strange mix of traits that somehow end up being kind of interesting or charming. This informal all-purpose term can be used to describe anything that doesn’t quite fit in. The adjective quirky is often used to describe those unconventional things that are characterized by peculiar behavior or an unexpected point of view. Quirky is often used to describe people, but it can also refer to things that seem to possess an unexpected and unconventional element, like a quirky strategy or a quirky idea.
Vocabulary lists containing quirky
40 SAT words Beginning with "Q"
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"The Witches" by Roald Dahl, Chapters 1–5
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Scrabble: Words that Begin with Q
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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.
See Examples For:
After a stab at acting, Mr. David found a home in New York’s comedy clubs, where his quirky vignettes earned the admiration of his peers.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026
The quirky 2024 video was “trying to herald the new design language and the new direction that Jaguar was going in,” said Rawdon Glover, Jaguar’s managing director.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026
Over two decades, what started as a consumer programme with quirky asides became renowned for its high-profile campaigns, notably against child abuse.
From BBC ● Sep. 30, 2026
Echo has built its reputation on quirky plays idiosyncratically performed.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 23, 2026
It’s the cool, quirky place to hang out.
From "Thirteen Reasons Why" by Jay Asher
The vibe of Dave & Buster’s might be quirkier than you’d expect, but it was still a corporation.
From Slate ● Jun. 25, 2026
But over the course of four days, I sought out some of the quirkier corners of the city.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 24, 2026
“The impossible Fortune” strains at times to manage its numerous plot threads and twists; that’s one of the quirkier hallmarks of Osman’s writing.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 29, 2025
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 ● Sep. 14, 2025
But in addition, the film does a great job of showcasing some of the city’s quirkier sides.
From New York Times ● Jun. 3, 2023
Perhaps the quirkiest fortnight in football peaked for Roberto Martinez's side when Ben Watson flicked a 91st-minute header beyond Manchester City stopper Joe Hart to send Wigan fans wild at Wembley.
From BBC ● Mar. 13, 2026
It may also be among the quirkiest spots, a place of contradictions.
From Seattle Times ● Jul. 30, 2023
My closest friend is also the quirkiest in the group.
From Slate ● Oct. 11, 2022
Perhaps the neighborhood’s quirkiest new addition is the penthouse apiary established in June at the pinnacle of Smith Tower, Seattle’s first skyscraper.
From New York Times ● Sep. 1, 2022
The quirkiest part of his outfit is the ponytail holder.
From "The Fourteenth Goldfish" by Jennifer L. Holm
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
