English Dictionary

Definition of “quirk

quirk (kwɜːkPronunciation for quirk

Definitions

noun

  1. an individual peculiarity of character; mannerism or foible
  2. an unexpected twist or turn  ⇒ a quirk of fate 
  3. a continuous groove in an architectural moulding
  4. a flourish, as in handwriting

Alternative Forms

ˈquirky adjective ˈquirkily adverb ˈquirkiness noun

Word Origin

C16: of unknown origin

Usage examples

  • When he came away from the phone there was a whimsical quirk to his eyebrows.
    Curzon, Clare, The Quest for K (1986)
  • This, however, is a quirk of regulation rather than a true market incentive.
    Business Today (2002)
  • Poll quirk favours Family First Milne in deals of trouble Voting deals threaten Milne
    The Mercury, Sunday Tasmanian (2004)
  • What if by some strange quirk , you were democratically re-appointed to the House.
    Independent (1998)
  • Let us also look at how a quirk in the tax rules brought about a new type of bond in the United States.
    Charles A. D'Ambrosio & Stewart D. Hodges & Richard Brealey & Stewart Myers, Principles of Corporate Finance (1991)

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