edgy

adjective

ˈe-jē 

edgier; edgiest

1

: having an edge : sharp

2

a

: being on edge : tense, irritable

b

: characterized by tension

edgy negotiations

3

: having a bold, provocative, or unconventional quality

an edgy film

edgily

ˈe-jə-lē 

adverb

edginess

ˈe-jē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• aflutter
• antsy
• anxious
• atwitter
• dithery
• goosey
• het up
• hinky [slang]
• hung up
• ill at ease
• insecure
• jittery
• jumpy
• nervous
• nervy
• perturbed
• queasy
• queazy
• tense
• troubled
• uneasy
• unquiet
• upset
• uptight
• worried

Examples of edgy in a Sentence

Too much coffee makes me edgy.

Why are you so edgy?

Their relationship has always been edgy.

one of the director's edgier films

Recent Examples on the Web

Designed by Kelly Wearstler, the hotel’s aesthetic is west coast personified with a color palette of cream and beige married with edgy lamps and sculptures and dominant wood accents. —Indya Brown, Essence, 5 June 2024

The beverages in its edgy aluminum cans are either water, sparkling water, or iced tea with fruit juice and agave sweetener. —Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 4 June 2024

So do cottagecore influencers, the woke, and the edgy creators. —Zoe Yu, Longreads, 28 May 2024

Blake is a lean, edgy bad boy who introduces Winehouse to heroin (as well as the classic girl groups that become such an influence on her sound). —Tom Gliatto, Peoplemag, 17 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1775, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

edgy

adjective

ˈej-ē 

edgier; edgiest

1

: having an edge : sharp

2

: tense entry 2 sense 2, irritable

spoke with an edgy tone

edgily

ˈej-ə-lē 

adverb

edginess

ˈej-ē-nəs 

noun