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

The hiring efforts come despite a shaky economy. —Amy Wenk, AJC.com, 23 Jan. 2026

The creep-fest about filmmakers venturing into a Maryland forest to document a local legend freaked out a generation of horror fans with its shaky-cam antics and constant sense of dread. —Brian Truitt, USA Today, 22 Jan. 2026

Despite the shaky performance, the White Sox picked up his $20 million option for 2026. —CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026

The season has had its shaky moments, with a pair of rare home losses against Youngstown State and Colorado State. —Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Jan. 2026

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