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

Filmmaker Kevin Smith is writing a double-sized crossover comic in which the wholesome Archie Comics characters meet the edgy protagonists of his film oeuvre. —Aaron Couch, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Mar. 2025

D’Arcy’s makeup featured a natural, clean visage, while their hair was slicked back for a modern, edgy appearance. —Julia Teti, WWD, 7 Mar. 2025

Having reached its peak in the late 2000s during the indie sleaze movement, that edgy skull-print scarf was worn by all the It girls at the time—from Lindsay Lohan to Mary-Kate Olsen—and is now considered a designer relic of the past. —Christian Allaire, Vogue, 6 Mar. 2025

The singer showed off an edgy bob while signing autographs for fans in New York City on Wednesday, March 5. —Robyn Merrett, StyleCaster, 6 Mar. 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