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

Gone were the light acoustic drums and Fender Rhodes, in were catchy choruses and edgy melodies, songs rooted in soul yet equally indebted to rap. —Marcus J. Moore, Time, 9 Apr. 2025

At Stella McCartney’s fall 2025 ready-to-wear runway show during Paris Fashion Week, Macron wore a tiger-print midi dress with a tie-neck detail, paired with edgy thigh-high boots, wholly demonstrating the versatility of her wardrobe. —Julia Teti, Footwear News, 8 Apr. 2025

The Wilde news wound up getting out and was the spark that lit the wick around all the behind-the-scenes drama on that production, teeing up intrigue and want-to-see for the edgy romantic drama and a $19.3M opening. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 5 Apr. 2025

Add in a weightless linen blazer and tall kitten-heel boots for an edgy look. —Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 4 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