Quirky

adj.joyful, energeticplayful

What it means

Appealingly unusual in style, habits, or character.

Reach for it when praising distinctive oddness when the person or creator welcomes that framing

The quirky clock marks each hour with a different recording of local birds.

playful
offbeat
when an unusual style feels pleasantly outside the mainstream
not when Offbeat often describes the overall tone rather than specific quirks.
playful
zany
when energetic comic strangeness is genuinely strong
not when The word is much louder and can make a person sound ridiculous.
everyday
unusual
when neutral difference is the safest claim
not when It does not tell the reader that the difference is appealing.
warm
whimsical
when fanciful imagination gives the difference its charm
not when Whimsy is dreamy and light; quirks can be dry, technical, or practical.
professional
distinctive
when recognizability matters more than oddness
not when A distinctive style can be elegant, restrained, and entirely conventional.
professional
unconventional
when departure from a standard is deliberate and meaningful
not when It lacks the small personal oddities and playful appeal of quirky.
formal
idiosyncratic
when distinctive features belong recognizably to one person or maker
not when The academic register is poor for a breezy compliment.
literary
eccentric
when unusual behavior is pronounced and individual
not when It can sound judgmental or imply greater strangeness than intended.

quirky sense of humor
Her quirky sense of humor found drama in missing teaspoons.
quirky charm
The guesthouse's quirky charm comes from handmade signs and mismatched lamps.
delightfully quirky
The guide is delightfully quirky without sacrificing clear directions.

Quirky can feel affectionate or othering; use it for a person only when their unusual style is known to be welcome.

The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.