KWER-kee
QUIRKY Having unusual or unexpected traits; characterized by peculiar or unpredictable behavior or style.
22
Points in Scrabble
Base tile values • No multipliers applied
Quirky describes something or someone characterized by peculiar or unexpected traits, often in an endearing or interesting way. It suggests uniqueness that deviates from the norm but is generally viewed positively, implying charm rather than true strangeness.
The word has evolved from simply meaning 'having quirks' to become a desirable quality in modern culture. Being quirky is often associated with creativity, individuality, and authenticity, particularly in art, fashion, and personality descriptions.
For word game players, 'quirky' is a friendly 6-letter Q word with common letters and a familiar -Y ending. It's easier to play than many Q words due to its everyday usage and lack of exotic letter combinations.
In contemporary usage, 'quirky' has become somewhat of a marketing buzzword, used to describe everything from indie films to coffee shops. This overuse has led to some backlash, with critics arguing it's become a meaningless descriptor for anything slightly unconventional.
The word 'quirky' derives from 'quirk,' which originated in the 16th century meaning a sudden twist or turn. It possibly comes from an onomatopoetic root suggesting a quick, sharp movement. By the early 19th century, 'quirk' had evolved to mean a peculiar trait, and 'quirky' emerged as its adjective form. The positive connotations of individuality and charm are relatively modern, developing primarily in the late 20th century.
Words with similar meaning
ECCENTRIC
Unconventionally strange
OFFBEAT
Unconventional
WHIMSICAL
Playfully quaint
PECULIAR
Strange or odd
IDIOSYNCRATIC
Having unique characteristics
UNCONVENTIONAL
Not traditional
Words with opposite meaning
CONVENTIONAL
Following norms
ORDINARY
Normal or usual
MAINSTREAM
Conventional current
TYPICAL
Representative example
CONFORMIST
Following standards
Adverb Form
quirkily
Noun Form
quirkiness
Comparative
quirkier
Superlative
quirkiest
Related Terms
Unusual character traits
Unconventional comedy
Unique fashion sense
Appealing oddness
Total base points: 22 (Scrabble)
Vowels: 2 | Consonants: 4
Can be built from:
Can extend to:
Other high-scoring 6-letter words (Scrabble)
If you can't play QUIRKY, consider these subwords:
"Her quirky sense of humor involved puns that made everyone groan and laugh simultaneously."
"The boutique hotel was decorated with quirky vintage furniture and unusual art pieces."
"His quirky habit of wearing mismatched socks became his trademark."
[object Object]
Overuse
Can become meaningless descriptor
Always positive?
Usually positive but can imply trying too hard
Quirky vs weird
Quirky is endearing, weird less so
Practice unscrambling letters to find more high-scoring words like QUIRKY