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

The wonky toe is Jerry's only notable identifying physical trait, Rapp said. — Natalie B. Compton The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 2 Aug. 2026

Another of the lands features a full-size recreation of the Dickensian Diagon Alley with massive models of colorful characters embedded in the wonky buildings. — Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

The success is all the more remarkable considering Spider-Man’s wonky joint custody corporate stewardship. — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 30 July 2026

Too much focus on wonky economic questions risks overlooking the political dynamic surrounding interest rate policy, some economists said. — Max Zahn, ABC News, 30 July 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