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 with the correct word:
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.