How to pronounce quirk
Say it like KWURK. Quirk is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce quirk. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KWURK
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Quirk pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KWURKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
American vs British pronunciation of quirk
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: KWURK.
What does quirk mean?
- An idiosyncrasy; a slight glitch, a mannerism; something unusual about the manner or style of something or someone.“The car steers cleanly, but the gearshift has a few quirks.”
- An acute angle dividing a molding; a groove that runs lengthwise between the upper part of a molding and a soffit.
- To (cause to) move with a wry jerk.“He quirked an eyebrow.”
- To furnish with a quirk or channel.
- To alter in a unique and unusual way.
- Alternative form of querk.
Where does quirk come from?
First attested in the 1540s.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with quirk
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of quirk.
Questions about saying quirk
How do you pronounce quirk?
Say KWURK. The American pronunciation is /kwɝk/. In British English it is /kwɜːk/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in quirk?
Quirk is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: KWURK.
Is quirk pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /kwɜːk/ (KWURK).