Shaky: meaning, definitions and examples

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shaky

[ˈʃeɪki ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

feeling

Not firm or steady; trembling or unsteady.

Synonyms

shivering, trembling, unsteady, wobbly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
shaky	Used when something is not firm or stable, or when someone lacks confidence or is nervous. Her voice was shaky during the presentation The table was shaky and couldn't hold much weight
unsteady	Used to describe something that is wobbling or likely to fall, or when someone is unsure or uncertain. The ladder was unsteady and might collapse He took unsteady steps after waking up
trembling	Used when someone is very frightened, excited, or has strong emotions, causing them to shake involuntarily. His hands were trembling as he held the phone The little girl was trembling with fear
wobbly	Used to describe something that moves or shakes from side to side and is not stable. The chair was wobbly and needed to be fixed After the surgery, he felt wobbly on his feet
shivering	Used when someone is feeling cold or frightened and their body shakes involuntarily. He was shivering in the cold wind She started shivering when she saw the horror movie

Examples of usage

The old man's shaky hands made it difficult for him to hold the cup.
She felt a bit shaky after the roller coaster ride.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

uncertain

Not confident or certain; insecure.

Synonyms

doubtful, hesitant, insecure, uncertain.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
shaky	Used when something is physically unstable or when someone is unsteady or nervous in a literal or metaphorical sense. His hands were shaky as he tried to hold the cup. The company's financial situation is shaky.
uncertain	Used when something is not known or definite. It can refer to both situations and feelings of doubt. The future of the policy remains uncertain. She was uncertain about her next steps.
insecure	Used when someone lacks self-confidence or feels uncertain about their abilities or self-worth. This word often carries a negative connotation. He felt insecure about his performance at work. She appeared insecure in social situations.
doubtful	Used when there is uncertainty or skepticism about something. Often implies a lack of confidence in the outcome or truth of something. She was doubtful about the success of the new project. It's doubtful that he will finish the task on time.
hesitant	Used when someone is unsure or slow to make a decision or take action, often due to uncertainty or fear. He was hesitant to ask for help. She gave a hesitant smile before entering the room.

Examples of usage

She gave a shaky performance during the audition.
After the shaky start, the team managed to pull off a win.

Translations

Translations of the word "shaky" in other languages:

🇵🇹 trêmulo

🇮🇳 कंपित

🇩🇪 zittrig

🇮🇩 goyah

🇺🇦 тремтячий

🇵🇱 drżący

🇯🇵 揺れる (yureru)

🇫🇷 tremblant

🇪🇸 tembloroso

🇹🇷 titrek

🇰🇷 흔들리는 (heundeullineun)

🇸🇦 مهتز

🇨🇿 třesoucí se

🇸🇰 trasúci sa

🇨🇳 摇晃的 (yáohuàng de)

🇸🇮 tresoč

🇮🇸 skjálfandi

🇰🇿 дірілдеген

🇬🇪 მოძრაობიანი

🇦🇿 titrək

🇲🇽 tembloroso

Etymology

The word 'shaky' originated from the Middle English word 'shakie', which meant 'inclined to shake'. It has been in use since the 14th century. Over time, its usage evolved to describe something unsteady or insecure. The word has retained its core meaning of lack of firmness or stability, whether in a physical or metaphorical sense.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #15,199, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

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15196 atrium
15197 mod
15198 cleansed
15199 shaky
15200 amperes
15201 dishonesty
15202 clasp
...