edgy

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

Synonyms of edgy

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

Examples of edgy in a Sentence

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

Creating edgy body jewelry for the designer’s runway collections—most famously, the aluminum neck-to-waist Coiled Corset for The Overlook Autumn/Winter 1999-2000 collection—turned Leane into a boldfaced name. — Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 9 Sep. 2026

Similar to how the underground hip-hop, skateboard, and street basketball scenes generated hype before the complete social media takeover, Ngy created an edgy DVD of his 2012 season. — Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 9 Sep. 2026

Occasionally, historians of the British film industry can wax understandably nostalgic for this period, when public funding, via the BBC, could be channelled toward such edgy and experimental projects and their creators. — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 8 Sep. 2026

Leopard print, for example, looks great with brown and adds an innately edgy feel for daytime looks that stand out from the crowd. — Kelsey Stiegman, Glamour, 8 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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