shaky
- 01 B1 Intermediate
shaking slightly, often because you are weak, cold, or old.
characterised by physical tremors or instability; often used to describe limbs or movements resulting from frailty or physical stress.
Simple“His hands were shaky as he tried to pour the tea into the cup.”
In context“The elderly man took a few shaky steps toward the podium, leaning heavily on his cane for support.”
- 02 B1 Intermediate
feeling weak or unsteady because you are scared or upset.
experiencing a lack of emotional or physical composure due to anxiety, shock, or fear.
Simple“I felt a bit shaky after the car accident, even though I wasn't hurt.”
In context“She gave a shaky laugh to hide her nerves before the interview began.”
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
not firm or certain; likely to fail or be proven wrong.
lacking a solid foundation or convincing evidence; precarious or questionable in validity.
Simple“The witness gave a shaky account of what happened that night.”
In context“The prosecution's case was built on shaky evidence that the defence easily challenged during cross-examination.”
SynonymsAntonyms - 04 B1 Intermediate
likely to fall down or break because it is not built well.
physically unsound or poorly constructed; liable to collapse or wobble.
Simple“Don't stand on that shaky old ladder; it might break.”
In context“The hikers crossed the shaky wooden bridge one at a time, wary of the rotting planks beneath their feet.”
From shake + -y.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.