edgy
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
feeling nervous, worried, or easily annoyed.
characterized by tension, apprehension, or irritability.
Simple“He was feeling edgy before the interview and couldn't sit still.”
In context“The investors grew edgy as the deadline approached without a signed agreement from the primary stakeholders.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
new, exciting, and different from what is traditional.
at the forefront of a trend; creatively challenging or avant-garde.
Simple“The new art gallery features edgy designs from local students.”
In context“The marketing campaign used edgy visuals to appeal to a younger, more urban demographic.”
SynonymsAntonyms - 03 C1 Advanced
trying to be cool by acting dark, tough, or slightly offensive.
deliberately provocative or transgressive, often in a way that feels forced or performative.
Simple“He wears a lot of black leather to look edgy.”
In context“The film's attempt to be edgy by using excessive violence felt more like a gimmick than a creative choice.”
Teacher's tipIn modern internet culture, this sense is often used sarcastically to mock someone who is trying too hard to seem 'deep' or 'dark'.
Synonyms
From edge + -y. Compare German eckig (“angular, edgy”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.