What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
shaky
Example
The old bridge was shaky and made me nervous. [shaky: adjective]
Example
She felt a bit shaky after the rollercoaster ride. [shaky: adjective]
Example
The company's financial situation is looking shaky. [shaky: adjective]
wobbly
Example
The table leg was wobbly and needed to be fixed. [wobbly: adjective]
Example
He felt wobbly after spinning around in circles. [wobbly: adjective]
Example
The toddler took a few wobbly steps before falling down. [wobbly: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Shaky is more commonly used than wobbly in everyday language, especially when describing situations or emotions. Wobbly is less common but is often used to describe physical objects or movements.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between shaky and wobbly?
Both shaky and wobbly are informal words that can be used in casual conversation. However, shaky may be slightly more formal due to its wider range of usage in different contexts.