wonky

1 of 2

adjective (1)

ˈwäŋ-kē 

ˈwȯŋ-

wonkier; wonkiest

US

: characteristic of, relating to, or suggestive of a wonk: such as

a

: preoccupied with arcane details or procedures in a specialized field

She can get wonky about the economy when she wants to, but what sets her apart is her ability to tell a coherent, populist story about it in a way that other members of her party are either unwilling or unable to do.

—Rebecca Traister

b

: used by or appealing to wonks

… one of those politicians who actually find pleasure in the often-wonky details of public policy.

—John Powers

wonkiness noun

wonky

2 of 2

adjective (2)

won·​ky ˈwäŋ-kē 

wonkier; wonkiest

1

British : unsteady, shaky

2

chiefly British : awry, wrong

Examples of wonky in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Climate change is in some ways a math problem, and Jesse Jenkins is among the wonkiest and most effective of the number crunchers trying to work out a solution. —Bill McKibben, TIME, 2 Oct. 2024

Meanwhile, Richmond's last two mayoral elections, in 2020 and 2016, weren't called until Wednesday evening — the day after the election — in part due to absentee ballots and the city's wonky version of an Electoral College, according to media reports at the time. —Erin Doherty, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024

Not surprisingly, there were many similarities: an urban heat island — which has raised temperatures there more than here — wonky air conditioners, cooling centers. —Shaun McKinnon, The Arizona Republic, 4 Nov. 2024

Twists do, indeed, play a huge part in Survivor, especially this wild and wonky new era. —Nick Caruso, TVLine, 31 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective (2)

probably alteration of English dialect wankle, from Middle English wankel, from Old English wancol; akin to Old High German wankōn to totter — more at wench

First Known Use

Adjective (1)

1978, in the meaning defined above

Adjective (2)

1918, in the meaning defined at sense 1