shaky

adjective

ˈshā-kē 

shakier; shakiest

1

: characterized by shakes

shaky timber

2

a

: lacking stability : precarious

a shaky economy

performed well after a shaky start

b

: lacking in firmness (as of beliefs or principles)

c

: lacking in authority or reliability : questionable

shaky experimental procedures

shaky data

3

a

: somewhat unsound in health

b

: characterized by shaking

4

: likely to give way or break down

shakily

ˈshā-kə-lē 

adverb

shakiness

ˈshā-kē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• aquiver
• atremble
• quaking
• quavery
• quivering
• shaking
• shuddering
• shuddery
• tottering
• tottery
• trembling
• trembly
• tremulous
• wobbling
• wabbling
• wobbly
• wabbly

Examples of shaky in a Sentence

She took a few shaky steps before she collapsed.

Her commitment to the cause seems shaky.

Their marriage is on shaky ground.

The team has performed better lately after getting off to a shaky start.

Recent Examples on the Web

Memories are shaky and some notations in public records are disputed by her family. —Anagilmara Vílchez, NBC News, 19 Dec. 2024

Those are also the building blocks of a society, a shaky foundation that forces the idealistic Tóth to flee one rotten country for another. —Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024

But from its inception, the relationship between class, geography, and party politics rested on two shaky foundations. —Stephanie Ternullo / Made By History, TIME, 16 Dec. 2024

Jacksonville ranks 32nd in EPA per pass and second-to-last in pass defense, with a shaky cornerback situation. —Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 15 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1703, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing shaky

• on shaky ground
• rests on shaky ground

Kids Definition

shaky

adjective

ˈshā-kē 

shakier; shakiest

1

a

: lacking firmness

b

: lacking in authority or reliability : questionable

shaky data

2

: marked by shaking : trembling

3

: likely to give way or break down

shakily

-kə-lē 

adverb

shakiness

-kē-nəs 

noun