Word of the Day, October 24: ‘Quirky’

Word of the Day: QUIRKY

Pronunciation: UK /ˈkwɜː.ki/
US /ˈkwɝː.ki/

Meaning

Quirky is an adjective used to describe someone or something that is unusual, unconventional or slightly strange in an interesting or appealing way.
It can refer to a person's personality, a distinctive style, an unusual design or an unexpected sense of humour.

Examples for daily usage

• Her quirky sense of humour always made family gatherings more entertaining.
• The café is known for its quirky interiors, with colourful furniture and mismatched chairs.
• He has a quirky habit of naming every plant in his garden.
• The film's quirky characters made it different from a typical romantic comedy.

Origin and history

The word quirky comes from quirk, a noun that originally referred to a twist, turn or verbal trick. The word quirk appeared in English in the 16th century, while quirky was recorded by the early 19th century.

According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, quirky was first recorded in 1806, initially meaning tricky or full of quirks. Its modern sense of being unusual or individualistic emerged around 1960.

Also Read: Word of the Day, October 23: ‘Propinquity’

Cultural significance and modern usage

Today, quirky is commonly used to describe distinctive personalities, creative work, fashion, films and interior design.

It often carries a positive meaning, suggesting that something's unusual qualities make it memorable rather than unpleasant.

A quirky character in a novel might have peculiar habits that make them stand out, while a quirky home might feature unexpected colours, unusual furniture or playful decorations. The word can also describe humour that is offbeat or unpredictable.

Interesting facts

Quirkier is the comparative form, while quirkiest is the superlative.

Quirkiness is the noun, and quirkily is the adverb.

Depending on the context, quirky can simply mean odd or unconventional rather than charming.

Examples from literature

• “Some have quirkier quirks and deeper secrets than others, but all of them, including one’s own parents, have two or three private habits hidden up their sleeves that would probably make you gasp if you knew about them.” — Danny the Champion of the World, Roald Dahl
• “Quirky? You can say that again . . . I have an eye on my finger and a little face in my throat. I start to cry.” — Quirky Tails, Paul Jennings.

Synonyms

• Eccentric
• Unconventional
• Offbeat
• Peculiar
• Unusual
• Idiosyncratic

Antonyms

• Conventional
• Ordinary
• Typical
• Conventional
• Predictable

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