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

Moving forward, mastering a personal podcast could replace soft-focus biographies or wonky books as a way for politicians to increase their profiles. —David Bauder, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025

But the focus on raising money against multi-billion dollar valuations instead of wonky multi-million dollar papercuts (or the country’s disability program) might offer a preview of what’s next on the hype cycle. —Naveen Rao, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025

If so, the theology is a little wonky but the filmmaking has an undoubtedly visionary swagger. —Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2025

And bring back the wonky Joe Louis Arena boards that only the Red Wings knew how to use. —Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025

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