"Unsteady" vs "shaky": words that wobble

Reviewed and edited by

Lloyd Cooper 14/02/2025, 20:06

English.me team member

Unsteady and shaky. What's the difference?

What is similar?

Both "unsteady" and "shaky" describe a lack of stability or firmness. They are often used to depict physical movements or objects that are not stable, and both can be applied metaphorically to situations or conditions that are insecure or unreliable.

What is different?

"Unsteady" generally refers to something that lacks steadiness or is prone to wobbling, often relating to movement or balance. It implies a lack of stability that may be temporary or due to external factors. "Shaky" often conveys trembling or quivering, possibly due to weakness, fear, or nervousness. Additionally, "shaky" can suggest that something is unreliable, insecure, or not well-founded, such as a shaky plan or a shaky economy.

Which one is more common?

Examples of usage

Unsteady

She took an unsteady step after spraining her ankle.
The ladder felt unsteady beneath his feet.
His unsteady handwriting made the note hard to read.

Shaky

His hands were shaky from the cold.
The table is shaky and needs to be repaired.
She gave a shaky laugh, trying to hide her fear.