edgy

[ej-ee]

adjective

edgier, edgiest 

1. nervously irritable; impatient and anxious.

2. sharp-edged; sharply defined, as outlines.

3. daringly innovative; on the cutting edge.

edgy

/ ˈɛdʒɪ /

adjective

1. (usually postpositive) nervous, irritable, tense, or anxious

2. (of paintings, drawings, etc) excessively defined

3. innovative, or at the cutting edge, with the concomitant qualities of intensity and excitement

Other Word Forms

• edgily adverb
• edginess noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of edgy¹

First recorded in 1765–75; edge + -y ¹

Example Sentences

You don’t want to shoot for comfort show, you want to shoot for edgy, attention-grabbing.

From Los Angeles Times

I never really fancy West Ham at home the same way I do with other teams because their fans always seem edgy at London Stadium.

From BBC

The venue’s owners are betting on a more permanent, independent-minded scene for local acts and edgier nightlife in its wake.

From Los Angeles Times

“You can tell, when he’s more approachable, when he’s not as edgy, he’s in a better spot physically,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.

From Los Angeles Times

It was the first thing I bought upon moving to New York City for college, manifesting some edgier version of myself.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• excited 
• restless 
• skittish 
• tense 
• uneasy 
• uptight