ENGLISH
REFERENCE

shaky

adj.
B1 Intermediate US //ˈʃeɪki// UK //ʃˈeɪki// shaky

adj. moving with quick, short movements because you are nervous, weak, or cold. It also describes something that is not steady or likely to fail.

adj. characterised by small, rapid, involuntary movements or instability. Often describes physical tremors, structural weakness, or a lack of firm evidence or conviction.


SIMPLE

Her voice was shaky as she began the presentation.

CONTEXTUAL

The old wooden bridge felt shaky under the weight of the heavy truck.

COMPLEX

The prosecution's case remained shaky, relying on circumstantial evidence and the testimony of a witness whose memory had been called into question.

Synonyms
Origin

From shake + -y.

Usage

Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'feel', 'sound', or 'look'.

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