What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
wobbly
Example
The table was wobbly and needed to be fixed. [wobbly: adjective]
Example
The toddler took a few wobbly steps before falling down. [wobbly: adjective]
Example
The bridge was wobbly and made me nervous to cross it. [wobbly: adjective]
unstable
Example
The foundation of the building was unstable and needed to be reinforced. [unstable: adjective]
Example
She's been feeling emotionally unstable lately and needs some support. [unstable: adjective]
Example
The political situation in the country is very unstable and unpredictable. [unstable: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Unstable is more commonly used than wobbly in everyday language. Unstable is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while wobbly is less common and refers to a specific type of instability.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between wobbly and unstable?
While wobbly is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, unstable can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.