quirky
Americanadjective
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
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.
Through half a century of creature features, epic disasters, sprawling adventures, quirky character studies and electrifying political thrillers, Spielberg has maintained his hope.
From Salon • Jun. 13, 2026
When Felix and his quirky next-door neighbor Marigold find a wooden box labeled “Open Me” hidden away in a closet, they discover a recording device with an intriguing auditory riddle.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 12, 2026
As they've matured, their music's become more quirky and adventurous.
From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026
“Gregory has always been the more grounded, measured type. And then Janine is naturally more whimsical, optimistic and quirky, so she carried the bigger, more expressive visual in the moment,” she says.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 1, 2026
June was funny and kind and, yeah, a bit quirky, a bit weird, but that’s what made her interesting.
From "Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World" by Ashley Herring Blake
Definitions 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.
