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

While micro shorts were undoubtedly the talk of the town last summer, and the trend has legs as these pictures show, longer lengths are also part of the trend forecast, especially an edgier mid-calf Bermuda. —Alejandro Badia, Footwear News, 1 May 2025

Born and residing in Havana, the 23-year-old artist is bringing an edgy touch to pop music, fusing it with the traditional sounds that best represent her country. —Ingrid Fajardo, Billboard, 30 Apr. 2025

For the uninitiated, commercial kitchens are notoriously edgy places, a bit like ship galleys, where personalities clash easily amid the blistering heat and break-neck pace. —Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Apr. 2025

Universal chose a prime release date, September 13, giving the fall genre audience some edgy horror by essentially counterprogramming Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’s goofy spooks. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 29 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1775, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for edgy

• pledgee
• veggie

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