shaky

/ˈʃeɪki/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈʃeɪki/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈshā-kē/ (ame, mw)

shaky — adjective

  • shakypositive
  • shakiercomparative
  • shakiestsuperlative

1. trembling or shaking physically, especially because of weakness, fear, cold, ill

1.形容詞B1
釋義

trembling or shaking physically, especially because of weakness, fear, cold, illness, or old age, often in a way the person cannot fully control.

例句

Dario's hands were so shaky that he could barely sign his name on the form.

shaky + body part — physical trembling affecting fine motor control

The elderly woman's shaky voice moved everyone in the crowded room to tears.

同義詞
  • trembling

    More intense and visible; focuses on the action of shaking rather than the quality of being unsteady

  • quivering

    Suggests smaller, faster movements, often from emotion like fear or excitement

  • unsteady

    Broader — can describe both physical trembling and lack of balance; less specific to visible shaking

反義詞
  • steady

    Firm and controlled, without trembling

  • still

    Not moving at all; perfectly calm

文法句型

shaky + noun (body part)

feel/look/sound + shaky

用法筆記

Often describes visible trembling of body parts (hands, legs, voice) or the whole person. Can be used both before a noun (attributive: shaky hands, shaky voice) and after a linking verb (predicative: I feel shaky, his voice sounded shaky).

常見錯誤

❌The ground was shaky during the earthquake.
✅The ground shook during the earthquake.
💡For ground movement during an earthquake, use the verb 'shake' or the adjective 'shaking'; 'shaky' typically describes a person or a body part trembling, not geological movement.

2. feeling upset, distressed, or nervous, usually as a temporary reaction to a shoc

2.形容詞B1
釋義

feeling upset, distressed, or nervous, usually as a temporary reaction to a shocking, frightening, or stressful event.

例句

Tamás was still shaky after the car accident, even though he was not hurt.

shaky after [disturbing event] — emotional aftermath

The news of the earthquake left Isabela feeling shaky and unable to focus.

同義詞
  • upset

    Broader meaning; can include sadness, anger, or worry; not specifically tied to trembling

  • rattled

    More informal, especially in British English; suggests being thrown off balance by a surprise

  • unnerved

    More formal; suggests losing confidence or courage due to fear

反義詞
  • calm

    Relaxed and untroubled, not affected by shock

  • composed

    In full control of one's emotions, appearing collected

文法句型

feel/look/sound + shaky

shaky + about + noun/gerund

shaky + after + noun

用法筆記

Almost always used predicatively (feel/look/sound shaky). Describes a temporary emotional reaction to a specific event, not a lasting personality trait. For long-term anxiety, use 'anxious' or 'nervous' instead.

常見錯誤

❌She is a very shaky person who always worries.
✅She is a very anxious person who always worries.
💡'Shaky' in this sense describes a temporary emotional state after a shock, not a long-term personality trait.

3. not firm, strong, or reliable; likely to fail, collapse, break, or be proved wro

3.形容詞B2
釋義

not firm, strong, or reliable; likely to fail, collapse, break, or be proved wrong — used for physical objects, abstract systems, arguments, and personal knowledge.

例句

The company's finances are shaky after two years of falling sales and rising costs.

shaky finances — abstract system in danger of failing

Gita built a shaky argument that fell apart when the teacher asked one question.

shaky argument — weak reasoning that fails under scrutiny

同義詞
  • unstable

    More formal and broader; can describe chemical, emotional, or structural instability without the implication of trembling

  • precarious

    Suggests a dangerous, risky situation where collapse could happen at any moment; stronger sense of threat

  • fragile

    Easily broken physically or emotionally; focuses on vulnerability rather than movement

  • weak

    More general; lacks strength or force without the specific image of unsteadiness

反義詞
  • solid

    Strong, firm, and reliable; the opposite of something likely to fail

  • stable

    Not likely to change or fail; firmly fixed in position or condition

  • secure

    Safe and protected from risk or loss; confident and certain

文法句型

shaky + noun (abstract or concrete)

feel/look + shaky

shaky + on + noun (details, facts)

用法筆記

Commonly modifies both concrete nouns (table, bridge, ladder) and abstract nouns (economy, argument, foundation, evidence, memory, start). The comparative (shakier) and superlative (shakiest) forms are very frequent in this sense, especially in business and political contexts.

常見錯誤

❌The table is shaking, not steady.
✅The table is shaky, not steady.
💡'Shaky' is the adjective describing something that moves unsteadily or looks likely to collapse; 'shaking' means it is actively moving right now.