edgy

American  

[ej-ee] / ˈɛdʒ i /

adjective

edgier, edgiest

1. nervously irritable; impatient and anxious.

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

3. daringly innovative; on the cutting edge.

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edgy British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• edgily adverb
• edginess noun

Etymology

Origin of edgy

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

Example Sentences

Allbirds tried to expand beyond its base of 30- and 40-year-olds by offering more technical running shoes and other sneakers in brighter colors and edgier patterns designed to attract younger customers.

From The Wall Street Journal

His gaze drills into mine, concern mixed with empathy, and a weird, edgy feeling comes over me, like he knows something I don’t.

From Literature

The Reform chief insisted the joke was intended to be "funny through being edgy and shocking", but said he had made attendees uncomfortable and had "instantly regretted it".

From BBC

A hotel’s older business travelers, for instance, might decide to stay elsewhere if they start seeing lots of young, edgy club members around the place, and vice versa.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Cruelty-Free” is an edgy journey with razor-sharp observations about fame and revenge.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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