Skip to main content
to quirk

to quirk

2 6.9
To move a body part suddenly in a strange way
  • verb
  • /kwɜrk/
translation icon : hacer un gesto
  • "His eyebrows quirk together, come apart again."
  • eyebrow quirked
  • lips quirked
  • mouth quirked

Examples

  • Her lips quirked almost into a smile.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • The corners of Cheryl's lips quirked upward.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • His smile quirked at her through the barriers between.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • The corner of Shong's mouth quirked upward very slightly.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • "Why do you ask?" Jazz quirked an eyebrow at Phoebe.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • I see," and the corners of his mouth quirked upward with amusement.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • His voice was hoarse, but a funny kind of half-smile quirked his mouth.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • On the way, he passed Reedy, whose mouth quirked in a brief smile as Max squeezed past her.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • "If one can call it an accident," Slade murmured, a slight smile quirking his lips.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • As she listened to the joke, a smile quirked at the corner of her lips.

Synonyms

to twitch
vsto quirk
4 3.3

To move something quickly so it turns over in the air

twists or moves body parts suddenly rather than flipping objects in the air
to jactitate
vsto quirk
  • Archaic
9.9

To move or shake your body suddenly and violently

involves sudden peculiar twists rather than intense violent shaking

Compounds

bead and quirk
  • Specialized
9.9

A narrow rounded edge next to a small groove on wood or frames used as decoration

quirk molding
  • Specialized
9.8

A narrow groove cut into wood or plaster to make an edge look nice

quirk bead
  • Specialized
9.9

A small decorative edge with a narrow groove along wood or stone

How Sudden

to lurch
34 5.6
to jerk
217 2.0
to quirk
2 6.9
flick
24 3.0
to twitch
66 2.8

Surface Forms

quirk infinitive
quirked past
quirked past participle
quirking present participle
quirks third person singular

Etymology

Quirk originally meant a quick 'twist' or sudden turn, like a small movement of the body. That's why to quirk an eyebrow is to move it quickly in a strange or surprised way.