unsteady
UK: ʌnˈstɛdi | US: ʌnˈstɛdi
adj. not firmly fixed, stable, or balanced
adj. lacking consistency or regularity
adj. (of a person) physically shaky or unstable
The word "unsteady" combines the Old English prefix "un-" (meaning "not") with "steady," which derives from the Old English "stæððig" (firm, fixed). "Steady" itself evolved from the Germanic root "*stadiz" (position, standing), related to "stand." The prefix "un-" negates the stability implied by "steady," creating a vivid contrast. Over time, "unsteady" expanded from describing physical instability (e.g., objects) to metaphorical inconsistency (e.g., behavior or patterns).
The ladder felt unsteady on the uneven ground.
Her unsteady hands made it difficult to pour the tea.
The company’s unsteady growth worried investors.
His voice was unsteady as he delivered the bad news.
Sleep deprivation left her with an unsteady gait.