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

a shaky ladder

shakily

ˈshā-kə-lē 

adverb

shakiness

ˈshā-kē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of shaky

• shaking
• trembly
• trembling
• quivering
• shuddering
• wobbly

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

If Bo Nix protects the ball and the offensive line holds up under pressure, Denver should be able to control tempo and pressure the Commanders’ shaky defense. —Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Dec. 2025

The Browns are shaky on offense, but their defense is legit. —Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 1 Dec. 2025

Hoover responded from a shaky three-game stretch with a stellar first half, completing 12 of 14 passes for 216 yards and three touchdowns. —Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Nov. 2025

But Washington has major problems at kicker, cutting veteran Matt Gay a couple weeks ago in the midst of a shaky season. —Luca Evans, Denver Post, 29 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1703, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing shaky

• on shaky ground
• rests on shaky ground

Rhymes for shaky

• flaky
• reiki
• snaky

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