Wobbly
/ˈwɑːbli/
adjectiveB1
Definition
Wobbly describes something that is unsteady or shaky. It can be used when an object moves in a way that is not firm or fixed, or when a person feels weak or unbalanced. It often suggests a lack of stability that might cause falling or tipping.
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See It in Action
Physically unsteady or shaky in movement or position
- •The chair was wobbly because one leg was shorter than the others.
- •After standing for a long time, my legs felt wobbly and weak.
- •The child's wobbly steps showed he was still learning to walk.
Weak or uncertain in condition or performance
- •His voice sounded wobbly when he was nervous.
- •The old bridge looked wobbly and unsafe to cross.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "wobbly" like "shaky" (A2 word), but more about side-to-side movement that can make something fall
- ✓Picture a table with one short leg that moves when you touch it, making cups slide or fall
- ✓It's the feeling when your legs are weak after running fast or when you stand on a moving bus
- ✓Sounds like "WOB-ly" → imagine a "wobble" wheel on a bike that shakes and moves unevenly
- ✓Think of a baby learning to walk, taking small, unsure steps that make them look wobbly
- ✓NOT like "stable" (firm and steady), wobbly is the opposite, showing weakness or movement
- ✓NOT like "falling" (already down), wobbly is before falling, something that might fall if not fixed
- ✓NOT like "shaky" (can mean trembling up and down), wobbly is more side to side or uneven movement
Try Other Words
- •Unstable: not steady or firm (Use when talking about things that can fall or break easily)
- •Unsteady: not balanced or firm (Use for movement or position that is not safe or sure)
- •Rickety: weak and likely to break (Use mostly for old furniture or structures)
- •Shaky: trembling or moving slightly (Use for nervousness or small movements)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "wobble" (verb meaning to move unsteadily) + suffix "-y" (makes adjective meaning "having the quality of")
- •Etymology: From English "wobble," which imitates the sound and movement of something moving unsteadily, plus "-y" to describe that quality
- •Historical development: "Wobbly" appeared in English in the late 19th century to describe unstable movement or objects
- •Modern usage: Used to describe objects, people, or situations that are not steady or firm, often in everyday speech
Reflect & Connect
•Can something be wobbly but still safe? How do you decide if wobbly means dangerous or just a little unstable?
•How does the feeling of being wobbly in your body change how you move or act?
Fill in the blanks
1.The table was wobbly because one of its legs was ___ too short to hold it steady.
2.When she felt wobbly after the long run, she needed to ___ down and rest.
3.Unlike a stable chair, a wobbly chair moves ___ when you sit on it.
4.His voice was wobbly during the speech because he was feeling ___.
5.The baby took wobbly steps, showing he was still ___ how to walk.
6.If something is wobbly, it might ___ if you push it too hard.
7.The old bridge looked wobbly, so people were ___ to cross it.