adj Uncommon

edgy

EHD-zhee

Edgy (adj) means Tense, nervous, or on the verge of losing patience. Example: “He grew edgy waiting for the exam results.”

adj

Tense, nervous, or on the verge of losing patience.

"He grew edgy waiting for the exam results."

"The whole office felt edgy after the surprise inspection was announced."

Deliberately provocative or unconventional, pushing at the limits of good taste.

"The comedian's edgy jokes divided the audience."

How to use edgy

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither jittery and irritable, or boldly unconventional in style or humor.

Common pairings

feeling edgy edgy humor an edgy design

Word forms

edgier comparative, edgiest superlative

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He grew _____ waiting for the exam results.

Etymology

From edge + -y, originally describing something sharply defined before it came to mean "tense" or "provocative."

Frequently asked questions

What does “edgy” mean?

The word “edgy” means tense, nervous, or on the verge of losing patience. In plain terms, either jittery and irritable, or boldly unconventional in style or humor.

How do you pronounce “edgy”?

“Edgy” is pronounced EHD-zhee (/ˈɛd͡ʒi/ in IPA).

How do you use “edgy” in a sentence?

Here is “edgy” used in a sentence: “He grew edgy waiting for the exam results.”

What part of speech is “edgy”?

“Edgy” is an adjective.

Is “edgy” a common word?

“Edgy” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “edgy” have?

“Edgy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: tense, nervous, or on the verge of losing patience.