Shaky Definition and Meaning
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Published on June 21, 2026
Shaky describes something that is trembling or not firm. e.g., After the long hike, her legs felt shaky.
Table of Contents
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Shaky Definitions
Not secure; unstable.
The deal was on shaky ground after the disagreement.
Not convincing or sound, as in an argument or theory.
His alibi was shaky at best.
Vulnerable to failure or collapse.
Their friendship became shaky after the argument.
Trembling or quivering, typically due to weakness or instability.
His handwriting was shaky from nerves.
Lacking confidence; uncertain.
She gave a shaky performance due to stage fright.
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Prone to fluctuations; unreliable.
The stock market has been shaky this week.
Not solidly constructed; likely to collapse.
The old bridge felt shaky as we crossed.
Easily agitated or scared.
The spooky story made the children feel shaky.
Trembling or quivering; tremulous
A shaky voice.
Lacking soundness or sturdiness, as of construction
A shaky table.
Not to be depended on; precarious
A shaky alliance.
Wavering in firmness
A shaky belief.
Open to question or doubt
Shaky evidence.
Shaking or trembling.
A shaky spot in a marsh
A shaky hand
Nervous, anxious.
He’s a nice guy but when he talks to me, he acts shaky.
(of wood) Full of shakes or cracks; cracked.
Shaky timber
Easily shaken; tottering; unsound.
A shaky constitution
Shaky business credit
Wavering; undecided.
Shaking or trembling; as, a shaky spot in a marsh; a shaky hand.
Full of shakes or cracks; cracked; as, shaky timber.
Easily shaken; tottering; unsound; as, a shaky constitution; shaky business credit.
Inclined to shake as from weakness or defect;
A rickety table
A wobbly chair with shaky legs
The ladder felt a little wobbly
The bridge still stands though one of the arches is wonky
Vibrating slightly and irregularly; as e.g. with fear or cold or like the leaves of an aspen in a breeze;
A quaking bog
The quaking child asked for more
Quivering leaves of a poplar tree
With shaking knees
Seemed shaky on her feet
Sparkling light from the shivering crystals of the chandelier
Trembling hands
Not secure; beset with difficulties;
A shaky marriage
Weak or lacking in strength.
After the flu, he felt very shaky.
Suffering from shaking or tremors, as from illness or withdrawal.
Withdrawal symptoms left her feeling shaky.
Shaky Snonyms
Trembling
Shaking slightly, typically as a result of cold, fear, or excitement.
The cold puppy was trembling until wrapped in a blanket.
Wobbly
Tending to move unsteadily from side to side.
The toddler took wobbly steps towards her parents.
Feeble
Lacking physical strength, especially as a result of age or illness.
After his illness, his grip was feeble.
Faltering
Moving unsteadily or in a way that shows lack of confidence.
His faltering steps betrayed his nervousness.
Unsteady
Liable to fall or shake; not stable.
She felt unsteady on her feet after the marathon.
Unstable
Not firm or steady; likely to fall or collapse.
The table is unstable and wobbles if touched.
Flimsy
Light and insubstantial; easily damaged.
The flimsy cardboard box tore easily.
Quivering
Shaking with a slight but rapid motion.
Nervously, he gave a quivering smile.
Insecure
Not firmly fixed; liable to give way or break.
The insecure shelf could barely hold any books.
Frail
Weak and delicate.
The frail branches snapped in the wind.
Shaky Idioms & Phrases
On shaky ground
In a situation that lacks stability or security.
After the scandal, his position was on shaky ground.
Shaky hands
A condition where one's hands tremble.
His grandfather's shaky hands made writing difficult.
Shaky start
A beginning that is uncertain or problematic.
Despite a shaky start, the event was a success.
Shaky on your feet
Unsteady and likely to fall.
After the long flight, she was shaky on her feet.
Shaky confidence
Confidence that is weak or easily shaken.
His shaky confidence improved with practice.
Make someone's voice shaky
To cause someone to sound nervous or scared.
The confrontation made her voice shaky.
A shaky situation
A situation that is unstable or uncertain.
They found themselves in a shaky situation when the market crashed.
Walking on shaky ground
Proceeding in a risky or uncertain manner.
By ignoring the warnings, they were walking on shaky ground.
Shaky Example Sentences
The evidence against him is quite shaky.
She had a shaky understanding of the subject.
The ladder felt shaky and unsafe.
After running the marathon, her legs were shaky.
Their relationship has been shaky since the argument.
His voice was shaky as he began his speech.
The economy is on shaky ground this year.
He looked shaky and pale, worrying his friends.
The plan seems a bit shaky to me.
The ceasefire agreement is shaky and could collapse at any time.
The old chair is too shaky to sit on.
The connection during the call was shaky.
His confidence was shaky after the mistake.
Despite a shaky start, the play received standing ovations.
After a shaky start, the team rallied to win.
Common Curiosities
How is shaky used in a sentence?
"Shaky" is used to describe something that is trembling, unstable, or lacking confidence, e.g., After the incident, her trust in him became shaky.
Why is it called shaky?
"Shaky" derives from the verb "shake," which means to move back and forth or up and down with rapid, forceful, jerky movements. The adjective "shaky" describes something characterized by or resembling this motion or feeling.
How many syllables are in shaky?
Shaky has two syllables.
How do we divide shaky into syllables?
Shaky is divided into syllables as: shak-y.
What is the root word of shaky?
The root word of "shaky" is "shake."
What is a stressed syllable in shaky?
The stressed syllable in "shaky" is the first syllable: shak-.
What is the singular form of shaky?
"Shaky" is both the singular and plural form when used as an adjective.
What is the plural form of shaky?
As an adjective, "shaky" does not change form between singular and plural uses.
Is shaky a noun or adjective?
"Shaky" is an adjective.
What is the verb form of shaky?
The verb form from which "shaky" is derived is "shake."
What is the pronunciation of shaky?
Shaky is pronounced as /ˈʃeɪki/.
Is shaky an adverb?
No, "shaky" is not an adverb; it is an adjective.
What part of speech is shaky?
"Shaky" is an adjective.
What is another term for shaky?
Another term for "shaky" could be "unsteady" or "trembling."
What is the opposite of shaky?
The opposite of "shaky" could be "stable" or "steady."
Is shaky a negative or positive word?
"Shaky" generally has a negative connotation, indicating instability or lack of confidence.
Is shaky a countable noun?
"Shaky" is not a noun; it's an adjective and does not have a countable form.
Is the shaky term a metaphor?
"Shaky" can be used metaphorically to describe situations or feelings that are unstable or not firm.
Which preposition is used with shaky?
Prepositions such as "on" or "from" can be used with "shaky," e.g., "on shaky ground."
Which article is used with shaky?
The definite article "the" or the indefinite article "a" can be used with "shaky," depending on the context, e.g., "the shaky bridge" or "a shaky start."
Is shaky an abstract noun?
No, "shaky" is an adjective, not a noun.
Is shaky a collective noun?
No, "shaky" is an adjective and not a noun of any type.
Is the word shaky Gerund?
No, "shaky" is not a gerund. A gerund is a noun made from a verb by adding "-ing."
Which determiner is used with shaky?
Determiners like "a," "the," and "this" can be used with "shaky," depending on the context, e.g., "a shaky voice."
Which conjunction is used with shaky?
Conjunctions such as "and" or "but" can connect "shaky" with other adjectives or clauses, depending on the context.
Is shaky a vowel or consonant?
The word "shaky" starts with a consonant, "s."
Is the word shaky imperative?
No, "shaky" is not imperative; it is an adjective used to describe the state or quality of something.
Is the word “shaky” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
"Shaky" is an adjective and does not serve as a direct or indirect object in a sentence.
Which vowel is used before shaky?
The use of a vowel before "shaky" depends on the article or preceding word, not "shaky" itself.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
