quirks

Meanings

1. 1nounplural

   Odd or unusual habits or features that a person or thing has, often in a harmless or charming way.

   Grammar: Plural of quirk: his quirks are well known; a single one is a quirk.

   Patterns

   • quirks of someone
   • quirks of something

   My grandfather has many quirks, like eating dessert before dinner.

   The old house has its own quirks, including a door that never closes.

   Every cat has its quirks.

2. 2nounplural

   Strange events or turns that happen by chance and seem unlikely.

   Grammar: Often in the phrase quirks of fate: the quirks of chance.

   Patterns

   • quirks of fate
   • quirks of history

   By a quirk of fate, the two friends met again in Tokyo.

   Strange quirks of history shaped the border.

   A quirk of timing meant the letter arrived a day late.

Word forms

Common combinations

charming quirks

Her charming quirks made her popular.

a quirk of fate

It was a quirk of fate that they shared a birthday.

personality quirks

We all have personality quirks.

endearing quirks

He is full of endearing quirks.

quirks and foibles

She knew all her boss's quirks and foibles.

Synonyms and how they differ

idiosyncrasies

Idiosyncrasies is more formal and slightly more serious than quirks, which sounds lighter and friendlier.

oddities

Oddities simply means odd things and can sound neutral or negative, while quirks usually sounds affectionate.

foibles

Foibles refers to small weaknesses in character, whereas quirks are just unusual traits.

eccentricities

Eccentricities suggests stronger, more noticeable strangeness than ordinary quirks.

Opposites

Word family

quirk noun

one odd habit or feature

quirky adjective

pleasantly unusual

quirkily adverb

in an unusual way

quirkiness noun

the state of being quirky

Commonly confused: quirks or quarks?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “quirks”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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