shakily
/ˈʃeɪkɪli/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈʃeɪkɪli/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈshākə̇lē -li/ (ame, mw)
shakily — adverb
1. with physical trembling caused by illness, weakness, old age, or strong feelings
with physical trembling caused by illness, weakness, old age, or strong feelings such as fear or nervousness
After a week with the flu, Nellie stood shakily and walked to the window.
shakily + verbs of movement (stood, walked)
Padma rose shakily from the hospital bed and reached for her walking stick.
Tendai lifted the cup shakily, his hands too weak to hold it steady.
Joaquín rose shakily from his chair and held onto the table for a moment.
Jin stood shakily on the moving train, holding the metal bar above his head.
- tremblingly
more direct focus on the shaking motion itself
- unsteadily
broader — can describe shaky movement from any cause
- falteringly
adds a sense of hesitation or uncertainty to the movement
文法句型
shakily + verb of movement (stand, walk, rise, lift)
用法筆記
Commonly used with verbs that describe getting up, walking, or holding objects — actions that become difficult when the body is trembling.
常見錯誤
2. swaying to the left and right in an unsteady way, as if about to fall over becau
swaying to the left and right in an unsteady way, as if about to fall over because something is not properly balanced or fixed
The tall pile of boxes balanced shakily on the chair in the corner.
shakily + verb of position (balanced)
Asher's bicycle wobbled shakily as he tried to ride up the steep hill.
The old wooden ladder stood shakily against the wall of the garden shed.
Hannah placed the vase on the shelf, where it sat shakily near the edge.
- unsteadily
more general; can describe people or objects
- precariously
adds a sense of danger or risk of falling
- wobblingly
more informal; suggests a visible side-to-side motion
文法句型
shakily + verb of position (balance, stand, wobble)
用法筆記
Focuses on the physical instability of objects or structures, not on a person's body trembling. Subject is typically an inanimate object like a pile, ladder, bicycle, or piece of furniture.
常見錯誤
❌ 'The table stood shakily' when the table itself is well-built — use only when the object is actually unbalanced or loose.
3. in a voice that trembles slightly and shows a lack of confidence, often because
in a voice that trembles slightly and shows a lack of confidence, often because of nervousness, fear, or sadness
I am truly sorry, Indra said shakily, her voice barely above a whisper.
shakily + verb of speaking (said) — for trembling voice
That is the right street, Layla said shakily, though she was not really sure.
The witness answered shakily when the lawyer asked about the accident.
Please do not leave me alone, Isabela said shakily, holding back tears.
- hesitantly
focuses on uncertainty rather than vocal trembling
- falteringly
suggests the voice breaks or stops and starts
- tremulously
more literary; describes a trembling voice
- confidently
showing certainty and assurance
- firmly
in a strong, steady voice
文法句型
shakily + verb of speaking (say, speak, answer, whisper)
用法筆記
Only describes how a person speaks — the trembling is in the voice, not the body. Often used in dialogue tags or descriptions of emotional moments.
常見錯誤
❌ 'He wrote shakily' when describing a nervous letter — that is sense 1 (body trembling); for voice, use with said, spoke, answered, or whispered.
4. showing a lack of stability or a weak foundation, so that future success or prog
showing a lack of stability or a weak foundation, so that future success or progress seems doubtful
The new restaurant ran shakily for six months before it finally closed down.
shakily + verb of progress (ran) — figurative use for businesses
The football team started shakily but improved a lot as the game went on.
The peace agreement held shakily, with both sides still full of distrust.
The company finances stood shakily after they lost their biggest customer.
- precariously
more formal; emphasizes imminent risk of failure
- insecurely
focuses on lack of stable foundation
- uncertainly
broader; describes lack of certainty about success
文法句型
shakily + verb of progress or stability (run, start, hold)
用法筆記
Figurative sense — does not describe physical shaking. Subject is usually an organization, plan, relationship, or system that is in danger of failing.