kinky

adjective

ˈkiŋ-kē 

kinkier; kinkiest

1

: closely twisted or curled

2

: relating to, having, or appealing to unconventional tastes especially in sex

also : sexually deviant

3

: outlandish, far-out

kinkily

ˈkiŋ-kə-lē 

adverb

kinkiness

ˈkiŋ-kē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• bizarre
• bizarro
• cranky
• crazy
• curious
• eccentric
• erratic
• far-out
• funky
• funny
• kooky
• kookie
• odd
• off-kilter
• off-the-wall
• offbeat
• out-of-the-way
• outlandish
• outré
• peculiar
• quaint
• queer
• queerish
• quirky
• remarkable
• rum [chiefly British]
• screwy
• spaced-out
• strange
• wacky
• whacky
• way-out
• weird
• weirdo
• wild

Examples of kinky in a Sentence

She says her boyfriend is a little kinky.

while passing through the airport, don't wear any kinky clothing that is likely to pique the interest of security

Recent Examples on the Web

The non-sudsy formula—free of drying alcohols, sulfates, and parabens—is prime for curly and kinky textures alike. —Sarah Hoffmann, Allure, 22 Dec. 2024

Like a slightly more erudite and discriminating, but also kinky, Judy Blume! —Alysia Reiner, Flow Space, 6 Dec. 2024

The content of those sexts was kinky, which added another layer to Monica’s feelings of betrayal. —Myisha Battle, TIME, 18 Oct. 2024

Erotica of all varieties — gay, straight, kinky and theoretical — is on glorious display at this year’s Venice Film Festival, with plenty of sizzling action onscreen and little of it gratuitous. —Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1804, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

kinky

adjective

ˈkiŋ-kē 

kinkier; kinkiest

1

: tightly twisted or curled

2

: very strange or odd

kinkiness noun