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

Voyager 2 found that their planetary magnetic fields were, to put it bluntly, wonky. — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 10 Nov. 2026

This is far too much literalism — not to mention the dash of inconsistency added by the motionless curtains paired with the storm FX — for such an innately wonky drama to handle without going stiff and dull in the process. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2026

The instantly recognizable Cybertruck then ran up a series of recalls for such problems as loose trim pieces, wonky windshield wipers, rear-view camera glitches, and the vehicle's engine randomly shutting down. — Rob Pegoraro, PC Magazine, 6 Nov. 2026

There was a time in this country when arts criticism was valued as a worthwhile pursuit unto itself, as opposed to a wonky and unreliable component of the promotional apparatus. — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 3 Nov. 2026

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