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
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
Tuccillo says Charles brought an elegance and depth to the fish-out-of-water dynamic his character navigates in the quirky town.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 22, 2026
But wherever he has gone, his quirky methods have always produced the same result.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 21, 2026
I couldn’t decide if they seemed more like one of those quirky sitcom families or a bunch of weirdos who make a good first impression but flip out behind closed doors.
From "Three Little Words: A Memoir" by Ashley Rhodes-Courter
Ibbotson’s tale is quirkier and more charmingly shambolic than Ms. Rowling’s lore-laden blockbusters.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 23, 2026
The other three companies are projected to be big contributors for quirkier reasons, the FactSet report noted.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 18, 2026
The vibe of Dave & Buster’s might be quirkier than you’d expect, but it was still a corporation.
From Slate ● Jun. 25, 2026
Here are some ideas - some quirkier than others - for the future of football.
From BBC ● Apr. 14, 2025
The strong showing for Universal’s “Oppenheimer” comes after a string of years that saw Oscar voters favor smaller, quirkier fare like “Parasite,” “Nomadland,” “CODA” and “Everything Everywhere All at Once.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 23, 2024
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
Walton’s inclusive approach could make the giant void left behind feel even more inescapable Sunday afternoon inside Pauley Pavilion during the school’s tribute to one of its greatest players and quirkiest personalities.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 23, 2025
It may also be among the quirkiest spots, a place of contradictions.
From Seattle Times ● Jul. 30, 2023
Today, the former lovers run the Museum of Broken Relationships, one of Croatia’s busiest — and quirkiest — tourist attractions.
From New York Times ● Feb. 14, 2023
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.
