wobble

/ˈwɒbl/ (bre, ipa) · [wˈɑbəl] /ˈwɑːbl/ (ame, ipa) · [wˈɑbəl] /ˈwä-bəl How to pronounce wobble (audio)/ (ame, mw) · /ˈwɒb.əl/ (bre, ipa) · [wˈɑbəl] /ˈwɑː.bəl/ (ame, ipa)

wobble — verb

  • wobblepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • wobbleshe / she / it
  • wobbledpast simple
  • wobbling-ing form

1. to lean one way and then the other because something is not stable, or to make s

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

to lean one way and then the other because something is not stable, or to make something sway in this loose, uneven way

例句

One short leg made the kitchen table wobble every time Bao set down a bowl.

cause + object + wobble

The front wheel wobbled after Caleb hit the curb on his bike.

wheel + wobble after impact

同義詞
  • shake

    broader and often stronger; it can also be deliberate

  • sway

    usually smoother and more regular

  • rock

    often suggests back-and-forth movement rather than weak balance

反義詞
  • steady

    to become firm and stop moving unsteadily

文法句型

object + wobble(s)

make/watch/feel + object + wobble

wobble + on + surface

用法筆記

Often used for furniture, wheels, trays, or people on a narrow surface. If a person wobbles, the focus is on unstable side-to-side movement, not on a complete fall.

常見錯誤

❌The table wobbled because one leg was shorter, so I shook it back.
✅The table wobbled because one leg was shorter, so I fixed it.
💡'Wobble' describes unstable movement; it does not mean a deliberate shaking action.

2. to stop feeling sure about a decision, plan, or belief, or to keep shifting betw

2.動詞不及物B2
釋義

to stop feeling sure about a decision, plan, or belief, or to keep shifting between two choices or opinions

例句

The committee began to wobble after parents objected to the new school rule.

begin to wobble (lose certainty)

Folake wobbled between staying in Seoul and taking the job in Busan.

wobble between two choices

同義詞
  • waver

    very close, especially for changing commitment or support

  • hesitate

    focuses more on delaying action than on changing position

  • vacillate

    more formal and often stronger

反義詞
  • stand firm

    to keep the same position without changing

  • decide

    to settle on one choice

文法句型

wobble between + two choices

wobble on/over + issue

support/confidence + wobble(s)

用法筆記

Common with abstract subjects such as support, confidence, and resolve. Distinguish from sense 1, which is literal movement, and from sense 3, which is physical trembling.

常見錯誤

❌She wobbled the decision for a week.
✅She wobbled over the decision for a week.
💡In this sense, 'wobble' is usually intransitive and often needs a phrase such as 'over' or 'between'.

3. to shake lightly and unevenly, especially because you are weak, cold, or upset

3.動詞不及物B2
釋義

to shake lightly and unevenly, especially because you are weak, cold, or upset

例句

Yuna's bottom lip wobbled as she tried not to cry at the station.

lip + wobble with emotion

After the long fever, Brooke's knees still wobbled when she stood up.

knees + wobble from weakness

同義詞
  • tremble

    the closest general synonym

  • quiver

    often lighter and quicker

  • shake

    broader and less focused on slight, uneven motion

反義詞
  • steady

    to become controlled and stop trembling

文法句型

lip/voice/knees + wobble(s)

wobble + when/as + clause

用法筆記

This sense is common with body parts or the voice rather than with furniture or machines. Distinguish it from sense 1: here the shaking comes from weakness or emotion, not from poor support.

wobble — noun