edgy

1 of 2

adjective

ˈe-jē 

edgier; edgiest

1

: having an edge : sharp

2

a

: being on edge : tense, irritable

b

: characterized by tension

edgy negotiations

3

: having a bold, provocative, or unconventional quality

an edgy film

edgily

ˈe-jə-lē 

adverb

edginess

ˈe-jē-nəs 

noun

edginess

2 of 2

noun

edg·​i·​ness ˈejēnə̇s 

-jin-

plural -es

1

: sharpness or angularity of outline

the edginess of a fresh-cut gem

—R. C. B. Brown

2

: the condition of being on edge : nervousness

Synonyms of edgy

Adjective

• worried
• nervous
• anxious
• upset
• uneasy
• troubled
• apprehensive

Examples of edgy in a Sentence

Adjective

Too much coffee makes me edgy.

Why are you so edgy?

Their relationship has always been edgy.

one of the director's edgier films

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

So that fascinated me, the fact that these fields were somehow kind of edgy in terms of our definition of the scientific method and so on. — David Brooks, The Atlantic, 20 Sep. 2026

The actress wore an edgy asymmetrical crop top paired with an unusual bubble silhouette skirt. — Meg Walters, InStyle, 19 Sep. 2026

Just as Guthrie’s song is a little edgier than it’s always been given credit for, Clark’s song gently upends some of the expectations that might arise nowadays for any song celebrating America. — Chris Willman, Variety, 18 Sep. 2026

Too edgy, too heavy, too real, too violent, too loud, too sexy? — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 15 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1634, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for edgy

• pledgee
• veggie

Kids Definition

edgy

adjective

ˈej-ē 

edgier; edgiest

1

: having an edge : sharp

2

: tense entry 2 sense 2, irritable

spoke with an edgy tone

edgily

ˈej-ə-lē 

adverb

edginess

ˈej-ē-nəs 

noun