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

• 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

Leadership has never been easy, but the terrain leaders stand on today feels shakier than ever. —Jennifer Jay Palumbo, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025

This is an important offseason for Miami Heat forward Jaime Jaquez Jr after a shaky sophomore NBA campaign. —Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 16 Aug. 2025

The only things shaky about Relish are the junkies, prostitutes, suicidal depressives, and sinners who populate Osborne's songs. —Ew Staff Published, EW.com, 14 Aug. 2025

Even then, there is no way to bank on how any of them look upon their return, as the team has seen with Blake Treinen’s shaky return from an extended absence on the injured list. —Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 13 Aug. 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