shaky
gb/ʃˈeɪki/ us/ʃˈeɪki/
B1
English
ingatag, billegős, rozoga, bizonytalan, labilis, gyenge, megalapozatlan, remegős, remeg
B1
1
Usage pattern:
[something] is shaky
The table is shaky, so don’t put the hot soup near the edge.
Az asztal billeg, ezért ne tedd a forró levest a széléhez közel.
The old ladder felt shaky under my feet.
A régi létra inogott a lábam alatt.
The video looks shaky because it was filmed while walking.
Learner examples
This chair is shaky.
Ez a szék billeg.
Be careful—the bridge is shaky.
Vigyázz, a híd ingatag.
Common mistake:
Learners may use *shaking* (an action) when they need *shaky* (a description), e.g., “a shaky table,” not “a shaking table.”
Meaning
not firm; likely to wobble
Collocations
a shaky table
|a shaky ladder
|a shaky chair
|a shaky bridge
|a shaky platform
|shaky steps
|a shaky ride
|shaky footage
|a shaky camera
|shaky hands
Synonyms
wobbly (More informal and often about side-to-side movement.)
|
unstable (More general and slightly more formal.)
|
unsteady (Often used for movement or balance, especially in people.)
Antonyms
steady (Firm and not moving unexpectedly.)
|
stable (Securely supported and unlikely to fall or shift.)
Themes
daily_life
|movement
|objects
Definition
Not steady; it moves and is not strong.
Not firmly supported or steady; likely to shake, wobble, or move in an uncontrolled way.
B2
2
Usage pattern:
[something] is shaky
After the scandal, his position at the company looked shaky.
A botrány után ingatagnak tűnt a pozíciója a cégnél.
Their relationship has been shaky for months.
A kapcsolatuk hónapok óta ingatag.
The ceasefire is shaky, with new clashes reported overnight.
Learner examples
My plan is shaky.
A tervem elég bizonytalan.
The economy is still shaky.
A gazdaság még mindig ingatag.
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse *unstable* in personal contexts; *shaky* is very common for plans, finances, and relationships in everyday English.
Meaning
not stable or secure
Collocations
shaky finances
|a shaky economy
|a shaky relationship
|a shaky truce
|a shaky peace
|shaky job security
|a shaky plan
|a shaky agreement
|a shaky alliance
|a shaky recovery
Synonyms
precarious (More formal; emphasizes danger of failing.)
|
uncertain (Focuses on not being sure what will happen.)
|
unstable (More general; often used for systems or conditions.)
Antonyms
secure (Safe and not likely to fail.)
|
stable (Firm and not likely to change suddenly.)
Themes
business
|relationships
|life_situations
Definition
Not safe or certain; it may fail.
Not stable or secure; likely to change, fail, or end badly.
B2
3
Usage pattern:
[evidence/argument/case] is shaky
The prosecution’s case was shaky, and the jury wasn’t persuaded.
A vád gyenge lábakon állt, és az esküdtszéket nem győzte meg.
Her explanation sounded shaky when we asked for details.
Amikor részleteket kértünk, a magyarázata nem hangzott meggyőzőnek.
The article relies on shaky evidence from anonymous sources.
Learner examples
The evidence is shaky.
A bizonyítékok gyengék.
That argument is shaky.
Ez az érv gyenge.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this with “shocking.” *Shaky* means weak or doubtful, not surprising.
Meaning
weakly supported; not convincing
Collocations
shaky evidence
|a shaky argument
|a shaky case
|shaky logic
|a shaky theory
|a shaky explanation
|shaky reasoning
|shaky testimony
Synonyms
weak (General; can describe arguments, evidence, or performance.)
|
dubious (Stronger doubt; suggests you don’t trust it.)
|
unconvincing (Focuses on failing to persuade.)
Antonyms
sound (Logically strong and well supported.)
|
solid (Strong and reliable (especially evidence or arguments).)
Themes
education
|law
|communication
Definition
Not strong or convincing; easy to doubt.
Not well supported by evidence or reasoning; doubtful and not convincing.
B1
4
Usage pattern:
feel shaky; [someone]'s hands/voice are shaky
I felt shaky after skipping breakfast.
Gyengének és remegősnek éreztem magam, miután kihagytam a reggelit.
His hands were shaky as he tried to unlock the door.
Remegő kézzel próbálta kinyitni az ajtót.
She was shaky with nerves before going on stage.
Learner examples
I feel shaky.
Remegősnek érzem magam.
My hands are shaky.
Remeg a kezem.
Common mistake:
Learners may say “I am shaky” when they mean “I feel shaky”; both exist, but *feel shaky* is more common for this meaning.
Meaning
feeling weak or unsteady
Collocations
feel shaky
|look shaky
|shaky hands
|a shaky voice
|shaky legs
|shaky with fear
|shaky from hunger
|shaky after the workout
Synonyms
faint (Stronger; suggests you might pass out.)
|
unsteady (Focuses on balance or control.)
|
nervous (Focuses on anxiety rather than physical weakness.)
Antonyms
steady (Calm and physically controlled (hands/voice/body).)
|
strong (Not weak or close to fainting.)
Themes
health
|emotions
|body
Definition
Feeling weak or a little sick, or nervous so you shake.
Feeling physically weak or not steady, often because of fear, illness, tiredness, or low blood sugar; sometimes showing this through shaking hands or a trembling voice.
Grammar
Dictionary form
shaky
IPA
GB/ʃˈeɪki/
US/ʃˈeɪki/
Syllables & stress
shaky (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (shaky)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: shaky
- Comparative: shakier
- Superlative: shakiest
Expressions
on shaky ground
1/ˈɔn ʃˈeɪki ɡɹˈaʊnd/
idiom
in a risky, uncertain position
In a situation that is not safe or certain.
Examples
- Without a contract, you’re on shaky ground if they change the deal.
- After missing two deadlines, she knew she was on shaky ground with her manager.
- His argument is on shaky ground because the data is incomplete.
Learner examples
- We are on shaky ground.
- He is on shaky ground at work.
shaky at the knees
1/ʃˈeɪki ˈæt ðə nˈiz/
fixed phrase
so nervous you feel weak
So nervous that your legs feel weak.
Examples
- I was shaky at the knees before the interview started.
- He was shaky at the knees when he stepped onto the glass floor.
- She felt shaky at the knees as she waited to hear the results.
shaky cam
1/ʃˈeɪki kˈæm/
fixed phrase
technical
intentionally unsteady camera style
A movie style with a moving, unsteady camera.
Examples
- The director used shaky cam to make the chase scene feel more intense.
- Some viewers get dizzy from shaky cam in action movies.
- The horror film relies heavily on shaky cam and quick cuts.