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unsteady
/ʌnˈstɛdi/
not stable
The ladder felt unsteady, so she held onto the wall.
The ladder was shaky, so she supported herself against the wall to avoid falling.
neutral
not firmly or securely fixed in position; liable to move or fall
The table was unsteady, wobbling every time she leaned on it.
The table was shaky and unstable, making it difficult to place objects on.
His unsteady hands made it hard to pour the tea without spilling.
Because his hands trembled, he struggled to pour tea neatly.
Can describe physical instability (objects, surfaces) or emotional/mental instability (e.g., 'unsteady mood').
neutral
not regular or consistent in movement, behavior, or quality
The stock market has been unsteady all week with sudden drops.
The stock market showed erratic behavior, with prices fluctuating unpredictably.
Often used for unpredictable changes in systems, emotions, or conditions.
Collocations
unsteady handshands that shake or trembleunsteady groundground that is unstable or shakyunsteady voicevoice that wavers or quivers
Antonyms
Pro Tip
Avoid confusion with 'unstable'
'Unsteady' often implies temporary or slight instability (e.g., 'unsteady steps'), while 'unstable' suggests a more severe or long-term lack of stability (e.g., 'unstable government').
Gold Rule
Use 'unsteady' for temporary or minor instability
Reserve 'unsteady' for situations where stability is briefly compromised (e.g., 'unsteady ladder') rather than chronic issues (e.g., 'unstable economy').
Word Origin
From Middle English 'unstedfast' (un- + 'stedfast', meaning 'firm'), from Old English 'stedefæst' (place + firm). The prefix 'un-' negates the meaning, indicating lack of stability.
Usage Notes
Commonly used in both literal (physical) and figurative (emotional/behavioral) contexts. Avoid overusing in formal writing unless describing instability.
Word Breakdown
un-
not
prefixsteady
firmly fixed or stable
rootEnglish Dictionary