shaky

Everyday

1. Shaking or trembling, often because of fear, cold, illness or weakness (shaky hands, a shaky voice). tree →
2. Not firm or steady; likely to fall or break (a shaky ladder). tree →
3. Not certain, strong or good (shaky spelling, a shaky start). tree →
4. In some dialects, shaky is used as a verb meaning to shake. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life and safety: don't stand on shaky chairs or ladders; a shaky bridge or shelf may collapse. In feelings lessons, a shaky voice or legs show nerves or fear (before a performance). In school, «my times tables are a bit shaky» means not yet secure. In stories it builds tension. Phrases: shaky hands, shaky voice, on shaky ground, a shaky start.

Examples

• My hands were shaky before I read my poem. tree →
• Don't stand on that shaky chair. tree →
• The old bridge looked shaky, so we didn't cross it. tree →
• Her voice was shaky because she was nervous. tree →
• My division is still a bit shaky. tree →
• After being ill, Grandpa's legs felt shaky. tree →
• The team had a shaky start but won the game. tree →

Note

Comparative: shakier, shakiest (y → i). From the verb «shake». «On shaky ground» = not sure, could be wrong.