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

That wonky definition has sparked conflicting interpretations by different federal circuits. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 10 Oct. 2025

By this point, the studio was well aware of what audiences came to Nightmare on Elm Street sequels for, making the wonky pacing that much more confounding. —Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2025

The gesture at the time might have seemed wonky, paid little heed by cultural critics or entertainment executives. —Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 27 Sep. 2025

As is par for the course with Supermassive games, the camera was wonky and slow, especially when trying to track Simms’ position and look in a different direction to see where to hide next. —Echo Apsey, Space.com, 9 Sep. 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