shaky
The ladder felt shaky, so I didn't climb higher.
The ladder was unstable, so I avoided climbing it to prevent falling.
trembling or unsteady due to weakness, fear, or instability.
Her voice was shaky during the speech because she was nervous.
She spoke unsteadily because she felt anxious.
The table was shaky, so the coffee almost spilled.
The table wobbled, making it hard to keep the coffee steady.
Often describes physical instability (e.g., legs, hands) or emotional uncertainty.
not firm, solid, or reliable; likely to fail or collapse.
The company's financial situation is shaky after the losses.
The company's weak finances make its future uncertain.
His memory is shaky these days.
He often forgets things due to age or stress.
Can describe systems, structures, or mental/physical states.
Collocations
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Avoid literal misuse
Do not use 'shaky' for objects that are physically vibrating (e.g., a 'shaky camera' suggests instability, not motion blur). For motion blur, use 'blurry' or 'shaky footage'.
Gold Rule
Physical vs. Emotional
Use 'shaky' for physical instability (e.g., 'shaky legs') or emotional uncertainty (e.g., 'shaky confidence'). Do not use it for objects in motion (e.g., 'a shaky train ride' implies discomfort, not speed).
Word Origin
From Middle English 'shakien' (to shake), derived from Old English 'sceacan' (to shake, tremble). Related to German 'schütteln' and Dutch 'schudden'.
Usage Notes
Commonly used to describe both physical instability (e.g., a shaky table) and emotional states (e.g., shaky confidence). Avoid using for literal shaking (e.g., 'The phone was shaky' → incorrect; use 'blurry' instead).