What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
eccentric
Example
The eccentric artist always wore mismatched clothes and had a pet snake. [eccentric: adjective]
Example
She was known for her eccentricity, often doing things that others found strange. [eccentricity: noun]
quirky
Example
Her quirky sense of humor always made us laugh. [quirky: adjective]
Example
The restaurant had a quirky decor with vintage posters and mismatched chairs. [quirky: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Quirky is more commonly used than eccentric in everyday language. Quirky is versatile and can be used to describe both people and things, while eccentric is less common and is mostly used to describe people.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between eccentric and quirky?
Eccentric is more formal than quirky, which is more casual and colloquial. Eccentric is often used in academic or professional contexts, while quirky is more commonly used in informal or creative contexts.
