in poor condition and likely to break or collapse; shaky, weak and likely to become ill or fail

rickety chair, rickety health, rickety economy

Formal and Informal Expressions of rickety

In different contexts, you can replace 'rickety' with suitable alternatives. In a more formal setting, 'unstable, shaky' is apt. In informal speech or writing, 'wobbly, ramshackle' is a commonplace synonym.

rickety: Explore its Definition & Usage

rickety Definition

1in poor condition and likely to break or collapse; shaky
2weak and likely to become ill or fail

Using rickety: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "rickety" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

Example
The old bridge was so rickety that we had to cross it one at a time.
Example
The rickety ladder creaked as he climbed up to the roof.
Example
The rickety old house was in desperate need of repair.

rickety Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for rickety

Antonyms for rickety

Phrases with rickety

rickety chair
a chair that is unstable and likely to break
Example
He sat down on the rickety chair and it collapsed beneath him.
rickety health
poor health that is likely to fail or deteriorate
Example
After years of neglecting his health, he was in rickety condition.
rickety economy
an unstable or weak economy that is likely to fail or collapse
Example
The country's rickety economy was in dire need of reform.

Origins of rickety

from 'rick', meaning 'to jerk'

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Summary: rickety in Brief

'Rickety' [ˈrɪkɪti] describes something that is in poor condition and likely to break or collapse, such as a rickety old bridge or a rickety ladder. It can also refer to someone who is weak and likely to become ill or fail. The phrase 'rickety chair' denotes an unstable chair, while 'rickety health' refers to poor health that is likely to deteriorate.