Definition of quirk
2
: a groove separating a bead or other molding from adjoining members
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quirk was our Word of the Day on 03/14/2013. Hear the podcast!
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Examples of quirk in a Sentence
Everyone has their little quirks.
wearing red shoes every day is just one of her quirks
Recent Examples of quirk from the Web
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Infatuation rearranges quirks into cute habits, but true love cements them as endearing traits that comprise a flawed, multifaceted being.
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The world seems to see OCD as a weird quirk to joke about.
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There are a lot of diseases here, each with its own factors and quirks.
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Pitfall #1: Sizing the system correctly Every homeowner knows their house comes with its own unique attributes and quirks.
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The statistic can be volatile, often skewed by seasonal quirks.
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Wednesday’s report showed a recent jump in annual inflation that partly reflects a statistical quirk.
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But Facebook created a medium that is optimized for fakeness, not as an algorithmic quirk but due to the core conception of the platform.
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In Oh’s hands, Eve Polastri is littered with quirks.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'quirk.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of quirk
origin unknown
NEW! Time Traveler
First Known Use: 1565
in the meaning defined at sense 1a
See Words from the same yearquirk Synonyms
Synonyms
crotchet, curiosity, eccentricity, idiosyncrasy, individualism, kink, mannerism, oddity, peculiarity, singularity, tic, trick, twist;
Near Antonyms
Related Words
attribute, characteristic, mark, property, trait;
custom, habit, pattern, practice (also practise), way, wont;
abnormality, neuroticism, perversion, weirdness;
disposition, genius, leaning, partiality;
bent, inclination, penchant, predilection, predisposition, proclivity, propensity, tendency, turn;
attitude, character, humor, identity, individuality, nature, personality, temperament;
Did You Know?
Did you expect quirk to be a noun meaning "a peculiarity of action or behavior"? If so, you're probably not alone; the "peculiarity" sense of the noun quirk is commonly known and has been a part of our language since the 17th century. But quirk has long worn other hats in English, too. The sense meaning "a curve, turn, or twist" has named everything from curving pen marks on paper (i.e., flourishes) to witty turns of phrase to the vagaries or twists of fate. In contemporary English, the verb quirk is most often used in referring to facial expressions, especially those that involve crooked smiles or furrowed eyebrows.
First Known Use of quirk
1878
QUIRK Defined for English Language Learners
Definition of quirk for English Language Learners
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: an unusual habit or way of behaving
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: something strange that happens by chance
QUIRK Defined for Kids
noun
\
ˈkwərk
\
Definition of quirk for Students
1
: an odd or unusual characteristic or habit
2
: something strange that happens by chance
- Their meeting was a quirk of fate.
Learn More about quirk
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See words that rhyme with quirk Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for quirk Spanish Central: Translation of quirk Nglish: Translation of quirk for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of quirk for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
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