Wonky
/ˈwɒŋki/
adjectiveB1
Definition
Wonky describes objects or situations that are not steady, balanced, or in good condition. It can mean something is crooked, shaky, or a little broken. People also use it to talk about things that are not working well or feel strange.
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See It in Action
Physically uneven, shaky, or crooked
- •The table was wonky, so the glasses kept tipping over.
- •My bike’s wheel is wonky after the fall.
- •The picture frame hangs wonky on the wall.
Not working properly or feeling strange
- •My computer is acting wonky today and keeps freezing.
- •The internet connection has been wonky all morning.
- •His voice sounded wonky because he had a cold.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "wonky" like "bad" or "not right," but more about physical shape or function, not just general badness
- ✓Picture a chair with one short leg that wobbles when you sit on it
- ✓It's the feeling when you try to walk on uneven ground and almost lose balance
- ✓Sounds like "WON-kee" → imagine a "wonky" (wrong + key) door lock that doesn’t open properly
- ✓Think of a funny cartoon character who walks with a limp because their leg is wonky
- ✓NOT like "broken" (completely not working), wonky means partly working but unstable or uneven
- ✓NOT like "perfect" or "stable," wonky is the opposite: shaky, crooked, or unreliable
- ✓NOT like "smooth" (even and nice), wonky is uneven or rough in shape or function
Try Other Words
- •Unstable: not steady or balanced (Use when focusing on safety or balance problems)
- •Faulty: not working correctly (Use when talking about machines or devices that don’t work right)
- •Uneven: not smooth or level (Use when describing surfaces or shapes)
- •Off: not correct or normal (Use for general problems or when something feels strange)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: No clear prefix or suffix; likely informal or slang origin
- •Etymology: Origin uncertain, possibly British informal English from mid-20th century meaning "not straight or stable"
- •Historical development: Originally used to describe physical instability or crookedness, now also for malfunction or odd behavior
- •Modern usage: Common in everyday speech to describe things that are a bit wrong, shaky, or not working well; often informal
Reflect & Connect
•Can you think of a time when something was wonky but you still had to use it? How did it feel?
•How does calling something "wonky" change the way you think about fixing or ignoring the problem?
Fill in the blanks
1.The chair was wonky because one leg was ___ shorter than the others, causing it to wobble.
2.When my phone screen goes wonky, it usually means the ___ is not working properly.
3.Unlike a broken machine, a wonky one still ___ but not well.
4.The picture hung wonky, so I had to ___ it to make it straight.
5.Internet connection can feel wonky when the signal is ___ or weak.
6.She said her voice sounded wonky because she had a ___.
7.If something is wonky, it is not perfectly ___ or balanced.