balky
gb/bˈɔki/ us/bˈɔki/
C1
English
makacs, vonakodó, akadozó, rosszalkodó, makrancos, csökönyös
C1
1
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] is balky (about/at [doing something])
The toddler got balky when it was time to leave the playground.
A kisgyerek makacskodni kezdett, amikor haza kellett menni a játszótérről.
Several senators were balky about supporting the bill without changes.
Több szenátor vonakodott támogatni a törvényjavaslatot módosítások nélkül.
If the group gets balky, the meeting won’t move forward.
Learner examples
He was balky and refused to go.
Makacs volt, és nem volt hajlandó menni.
She got balky about doing the homework.
Makacskodni kezdett, amikor meg kellett írnia a házi feladatot.
Common mistake:
Often confused with bulky (meaning “large”).
Meaning
unwilling to cooperate or proceed
Collocations
a balky child
|a balky team member
|a balky witness
|a balky customer
|balky negotiations
|become balky
|grow balky
|suddenly balky
|remain balky
|a balky attitude
Synonyms
stubborn (More general and very common; not necessarily about refusing to proceed.)
|
uncooperative (More neutral and explicit about not helping.)
Antonyms
cooperative (Willing to help and work with others.)
|
compliant (Willing to do what is asked or required.)
Themes
people
|behavior
|emotions
|daily_life
Definition
not wanting to do something or help
Stubbornly unwilling to do what is wanted, or refusing to continue with something.
C1
2
akadozó
B1
rosszalkodó
B2
Usage pattern:
a balky [machine/system/part]
We had to call a mechanic because the car’s balky engine kept stalling.
Szerelőt kellett hívnunk, mert az autó akadozó motorja folyton lefulladt.
The balky printer jammed twice during the presentation.
Az akadozó nyomtató kétszer is elakadt a prezentáció közben.
After the update, the app became balky and slow to respond.
Learner examples
My laptop is balky today.
A laptopom ma akadozik.
The door lock is balky and sticks.
Az ajtózár akadozik, és néha beragad.
Common mistake:
Do not use for something simply “old”; it implies unreliable operation.
Meaning
not working smoothly or reliably
Collocations
a balky engine
|a balky starter
|a balky transmission
|a balky computer
|balky software
|a balky app
|a balky printer
|a balky door lock
|a balky microwave
|a balky air conditioner
Synonyms
temperamental (Suggests it works sometimes but is unpredictable.)
|
faulty (More direct: something is defective or incorrect.)
Antonyms
reliable (Works consistently without problems.)
|
smooth (Operates easily without difficulty or interruption.)
Themes
technology
|transport
|mechanics
|daily_life
Definition
not working well; often stopping
Not functioning properly; difficult to operate or likely to stop or fail unexpectedly.
C1
3
Usage pattern:
a balky [horse/mule]
Halfway up the trail, the horse went balky and wouldn’t take another step.
Az ösvény felénél a ló megmakacsolta magát, és egy lépést sem volt hajlandó továbbmenni.
The trainer worked patiently with a balky mule that refused to cross the bridge.
Az idomár türelmesen dolgozott egy makrancos öszvérrel, amely nem volt hajlandó átmenni a hídon.
A balky pony can be dangerous if riders try to force it forward.
Learner examples
The horse was balky and stopped.
A ló megmakacsolta magát és megállt.
Our mule got balky on the path.
Az öszvérünk megmakacsolta magát az ösvényen.
Common mistake:
Not the same as scared or excited; it specifically means refusing to proceed.
Meaning
of a horse, refusing to move
Collocations
a balky horse
|a balky mule
|a balky pony
|the horse turned balky
|a balky mount
|a balky animal
|handle a balky horse
|a suddenly balky horse
|a notoriously balky mule
|a balky team of horses
Synonyms
stubborn (More general; not specific to stopping and refusing to go forward.)
|
intractable (More formal; emphasizes difficulty in controlling.)
Antonyms
obedient (Willing to follow commands.)
|
willing (Ready to move or comply without resistance.)
Themes
animals
|sports
|outdoors
Definition
an animal that stops and won’t go
Of an animal (especially a horse or mule), stopping and refusing to go forward or do what it is being made to do.
Grammar
Dictionary form
balky
IPA
GB/bˈɔki/
US/bˈɔki/
Syllables & stress
balky (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (balky)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: balky
- Comparative: balkier
- Superlative: balkiest
Word family
Forms
balkier
adjective
balkiest
adjective
Core family
balk
verb
Related words
baulk
verb
Advanced or less common
balkiness
noun
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.