wobbly

Wobbly is an English adjective that describes something or someone that moves, stands, or operates with an unsteady, unstable, or shaky motion. It is used for physical objects that tilt or shake easily, such as a table with uneven legs or a chair that rocks. It can also describe people who have a wobbly balance or gait, such as someone walking on ice or a child learning to stand. In a broader sense, wobbly can refer to situations, plans, or systems that are uncertain, unstable, or unreliable, such as a wobbly market or a wobbly alliance.

Etymology and related forms: Wobbly derives from the verb wobble, which denotes to move unsteadily from side to side. The -ly suffix turns the verb into an adjective meaning “characterized by or prone to wobbling.” The term has been in ordinary English use since the early modern period and remains common in informal speech and writing.

Usage and context: In everyday language, people describe furniture, vehicles, or structures as wobbly when they lack firm stability. It is also used in health contexts to describe impaired balance or coordination, such as a person with wobbly knees. Figuratively, “wobbly” pairs with nouns like economy, government, or leadership to indicate fragility or unpredictability. The word is often chosen for its vivid, nontechnical connotation.

See also: See wobble (verb) and wobble (noun) for related concepts, along with synonyms such as unstable, unsteady, shaky, and rickety.