quirky
gb/kwˈɚki/ us/kwˈɚki/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
pleasantly unusual and original
different in a nice and interesting way.
Usage pattern:
[a quirky person/style/design/idea]
Common mistake:
Learners may use it for anything merely 'funny'; it more often means 'unusual in an appealing way.'
Synonyms
offbeat (more casual and often linked to arts and style)
|
eccentric (usually stronger and more focused on people)
|
unconventional (more neutral and less playful)
|
idiosyncratic (emphasizes being distinctive to one person or thing)
Antonyms
conventional (follows typical or traditional patterns)
|
ordinary (not distinctive or unusual)
Collocations
quirky personality
|quirky sense of humor
|quirky style
|quirky design
|quirky details
|quirky characters
|quirky shop
|quirky little cafe
|a quirky idea
|quirky charm
Themes
people
|personality
|arts_culture
|daily_life
Examples
- The hotel has quirky decor and feels more like a home than a chain.
- She writes quirky short stories with unexpected endings.
- It’s a quirky little neighborhood with lots of independent shops.
Learner examples
- I like his quirky style.
- They live in a quirky house.
adjective
B2
property
2
odd in a slightly strange way
a little strange or not what you expect.
Usage pattern:
[a quirky habit/behavior/relationship]
Common mistake:
Do not confuse with 'weird' when you mean strongly disturbing or scary; 'quirky' is usually milder.
Synonyms
peculiar (more formal and can sound more critical)
|
odd (more direct and often less friendly)
|
weird (more informal and can be more negative)
|
strange (neutral but less playful)
Antonyms
normal (typical and expected)
|
predictable (easy to anticipate)
Collocations
quirky habit
|quirky behavior
|quirky rule
|quirky relationship
|a quirky decision
|quirky taste
|quirky comment
|quirky mannerisms
|quirky mood
|quirky reaction
Themes
people
|behavior
|daily_life
Examples
- There are a few quirky rules in the building that newcomers always forget.
- He has a quirky habit of whistling while he reads.
- The plot takes a quirky turn halfway through the film.
Learner examples
- That’s a quirky rule.
- He has a quirky habit.
adjective
C1
property
3
having an odd fault or quirk
working in a strange way because of a small problem.
Usage pattern:
[a quirky machine/app/system]
Common mistake:
Not the same as 'broken'; it often implies a minor, manageable issue or odd behavior.
Synonyms
temperamental (suggests it works inconsistently)
|
glitchy (more informal and explicitly about technical problems)
|
finicky (suggests it needs careful handling)
Antonyms
reliable (works consistently without surprises)
|
stable (not prone to unexpected behavior)
Collocations
quirky software
|quirky app
|quirky interface
|quirky system
|quirky printer
|quirky engine
|quirky behavior
|quirky bug
|a quirky feature
|quirky performance
Themes
technology
|tools
|daily_life
Examples
- The old coffee machine is quirky, but it still makes a great espresso.
- Their website is a bit quirky on mobile, so some buttons don’t respond.
- The car has a quirky transmission that takes time to get used to.
Learner examples
- My laptop is quirky today.
- This app is quirky on my phone.
Grammar
Dictionary form
quirky
IPA
GB/kwˈɚki/
US/kwˈɚki/
Syllables & stress
quirky (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (quirky)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: quirky
- Comparative: quirkier
- Superlative: quirkiest
Word family
Forms
quirkier
adjective
quirkiest
adjective
Core family
quirk
noun B2
quirkiness
noun
Related words
quirkily
adverb
Expressions
quirky charm
1/kwˈɚki t͡ʃˈɑɹm/
fixed phrase
appeal from being slightly odd
a nice feeling because something is a bit unusual.
Examples
- The apartment is small and drafty, but it has quirky charm.
- The town’s quirky charm attracts weekend visitors.
- Despite its rough edges, the film has a quirky charm.
quirky sense of humor
1/kwˈɚki sˈɛns əv hjˈumɚ/
fixed phrase
humor that is oddly original
a kind of humor that is a little unusual.
Examples
- She has a quirky sense of humor that catches people off guard.
- His quirky sense of humor makes even boring meetings feel lighter.
- The show’s quirky sense of humor isn’t for everyone, but I loved it.