shaky

1 of 2

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

shakiness

2 of 2

noun

shak·​i·​ness -kēnə̇s 

-kin-

plural -es

: the quality or state of being shaky

Synonyms of shaky

Adjective

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

Examples of shaky in a Sentence

Adjective

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

Adjective

While the opening minutes were shaky for both teams, probably due to nerves, La Roja quickly established itself and – like a virus that begins propagating in a new host – slowly grew into the match. — Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN Money, 20 July 2026

After a shaky start when there were empty seats for the game between South Korea and the Czech Republic in Guadalajara, stadium after stadium reported full houses. — James Robson, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2026

With such a shaky sense of purpose, is John Sugar prepared to wade through to the other side of these rancid waters? — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 17 July 2026

Unfortunately, what Ten Hag was trying to build was on shaky foundations, which crumbled quickly in the following campaign, despite an unlikely FA Cup final victory. — Chris McKenna, New York Times, 16 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

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