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

What’s surprising is the way that this particular duo turn a wonky art-world story into its own distinctly wonderful work of art. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 2026

Before the game, Tocchet touched on the Flyers’ game management being a little wonky at home from time to time. —Kevin Kurz, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2026

Much like his frenemy, Burgos takes his political messaging to the public via Instagram and TikTok, trying to unspool wonky and complicated housing policy in 60-second clips. —Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 23 Mar. 2026

Here are details on the jars of lemon curd that taste like spring in a jar, and the dull, wonky pastes that are best left on the shelf. —Jolene Thym, Mercury News, 20 Mar. 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