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

More than three years after its initial release, the masochistic psychodrama that is Hades still has the gaming community in a kinky stranglehold — so much so that Netflix is getting in on the action. —Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 5 Mar. 2024

Type 4 hair, in particular, has a coily, kinky texture that's typically drier than straight or wavy hair. —Brittany Loggins, Health, 26 May 2024

By some measures, 40% to 70% of people might be kinky; given the stigma, this estimate could be on the low end. —R. O. Kwon, TIME, 17 May 2024

Their reluctance doesn’t come close to preparing you for what’s revealed in the home movie, a kinky source of comfort that’s perhaps Kinds of Kindness’ most hilarious gag. —David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 May 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