quirky

adjective

ˈkwər-kē 

quirkier; quirkiest

: having many quirks : unusual in especially an interesting or appealing way

a quirky sense of humor

quirky ideas/behavior

a quirky and creative artist

… the SoHo store known for its modern, often quirky home accessories …

—Marianne Rohrlich

The result is an extraordinarily fine film, a quieter, more centered vision of Garp's world that loses little of the quirky humor of the original …

—Molly Haskell

quirkily

ˈkwər-kə-lē 

adverb

His political ideas, which had seemed quirkily brilliant in the 1900's …

—Wilfrid Sheed

… he is gregarious and energetic and … enjoys a quirkily methodical, omnivorous turn of mind …

—Cullen Murphy

quirkiness

ˈkwər-kē-nəs 

noun

… is gaining international prominence in interior-design circles simply because its content diverges with typically English quirkiness, from that of its competitors.

—John Duka

Synonyms of quirky

• bizarre
• funny
• strange
• weird
• odd
• curious
• peculiar
• eccentric
• erratic
• remarkable
• unusual
• crazy

Examples of quirky in a Sentence

the waitress styles her hair in a quirky way that always gets her remembered by customers

Recent Examples on the Web

Those who love an eclectic aesthetic can embrace more colorful arrangements by mixing miniature artwork, old game pieces, and quirky collectibles that reflect your (and your home’s) personality. — Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Sep. 2026

Not everything works, notably the rarefied nature of the score, which at time sounds like Rufus Norris’ quirky verbatim musical London Road (2015). — Damon Wise, Deadline, 11 Sep. 2026

These fairs stay fresh by offering additional activities to complement the tried-and-true, such as haunted attractions, new rides, a rodeo or quirky contests (keep an eye out for the best mullet). — Mary Caldwell, AJC.com, 8 Sep. 2026

Carrying the show in the early going are Blackk, bringing a quirky and often humorous energy, and Smith, an instantly commanding presence. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1873, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for quirky

• jerky
• murky
• perky
• turki