wobbly
UK: ˈwɒbli | US: ˈwɑːbli
adj. 1. unsteady or shaky in movement; tending to wobble.
adj. 2. (informal) weak, unreliable, or emotionally unstable.
The word "wobbly" derives from the verb "wobble," which emerged in the 17th century as an onomatopoeic term imitating the motion of unsteady movement. The suffix "-y" transforms it into an adjective, emphasizing the characteristic of instability. The playful, reduplicative sound of "wobble" reflects its descriptive nature, often associated with physical or metaphorical lack of firmness.
The toddler took a few wobbly steps before falling.
The table is wobbly because one leg is shorter than the others.
After the long flight, her legs felt wobbly from fatigue.
His argument seemed wobbly under scrutiny.
She felt emotionally wobbly after the stressful news.