Shaky — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈshā-kē/

Meaning & Definition of Shaky

Shaky (adjective)

  1. characterized by shakes
  2. lacking stability, precarious
  3. lacking in firmness (as of beliefs or principles)

Shaky (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. marked by or given to small uncontrollable bodily movements

    "the old man's hands were so shaky that I was afraid he'd drop the glass"

    similar: aquiver, atremble, quaking, quavery, quivering, shaking, shuddering, shuddery, tottering, tottery, trembling, trembly, tremulous, wobbling, wobbly
    related: convulsive, shivering, shivery, rocky, staggery, unstable, unsteady, wavering, wavery, palpitating, pulsating, throbbing
    near: controlled, firm, settled, stable, steady

  2. giving good reason for being doubted, questioned, or challenged

    "results that were arrived at using some shaky experimental procedures"

    similar: debatable, disputable, dodgy (chiefly British), doubtable, doubtful, dubious, dubitable, equivocal, fishy, problematic, queer, questionable, shady, suspect, suspicious
    related: alleged, so-called, supposed, moot, ambiguous, open, unclear, uncertain, undecided, undetermined, far-fetched, flimsy, improbable, unlikely, weak
    opposite: certain, hands-down, incontestable, indisputable, indubitable, questionless, sure, undeniable, undoubted, unproblematic, unquestionable
    near: decisive, definitive, clear, obvious, open-and-shut, positive

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Shaky

The most common words with a similar meaning to Shaky:

Chiefly British: dodgy
aquiver, atremble, quaking, quavery, quivering, shaking, shuddering, shuddery, tottering, tottery, trembling, trembly, tremulous, wobbling, wobbly, debatable, disputable, doubtable, doubtful, dubious, dubitable, equivocal, fishy, problematic, queer, questionable, shady, suspect, suspicious

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Shaky

Words with the opposite meaning of Shaky:

certain, hands-down, incontestable, indisputable, indubitable, questionless, sure, undeniable, undoubted, unproblematic, unquestionable

Related Words for Shaky

convulsive, shivering, shivery, rocky, staggery, unstable, unsteady, wavering, wavery, palpitating, pulsating, throbbing, alleged, so-called, supposed, moot, ambiguous, open, unclear, uncertain, undecided, undetermined, far-fetched, flimsy, improbable, unlikely, weak

Near Antonyms of Shaky

controlled, firm, settled, stable, steady, decisive, definitive, clear, obvious, open-and-shut, positive

Word Forms of Shaky

Inflections: shakier, shakiest

Derived words: shakily (adverb), shakiness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Shaky

First known use: 1703

Words & Phrases Containing Shaky

on shaky ground

Frequently Asked Questions about Shaky

What does "Shaky" mean?

"Shaky" means characterized by shakes. As an adjective, it is defined as: characterized by shakes. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Shaky"?

Other words for "Shaky" include aquiver, atremble, quaking, quavery, quivering, shaking, shuddering and shuddery. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Shaky" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Shaky"?

There are 57 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Shaky". Common alternatives include aquiver, atremble, quaking, quavery, quivering, shaking, shuddering, shuddery, tottering and tottery.

What is the opposite of "Shaky"?

Antonyms of "Shaky" include certain, hands-down, incontestable, indisputable, indubitable, questionless, sure and undeniable. Near antonyms include controlled, firm, settled and stable.

How do you use "Shaky" in a sentence?

Examples of "Shaky" in a sentence: "the old man's hands were so shaky that I was afraid he'd drop the glass"; "results that were arrived at using some shaky experimental procedures".

Is "Shaky" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Shaky" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Shaky"?

"Shaky" is pronounced /ˈshā-kē/.

What is the origin of the word "Shaky"?

First known use: 1703.