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

Stephanie White’s group has run into some wonky luck besides those absences. —Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 14 June 2025

While gold is historically considered a haven, demand for havens has spilled over into its wonky cousins like silver and platinum. —John Towfighi, CNN Money, 12 June 2025

The wonky yet critical fight has bubbled up over the past week as investors pored over the House bill in anticipation of potential Senate amendments. —Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 4 June 2025

If that sounds mathematically wonky, here’s the explanation. —Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 3 May 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