shaky

Universal Words adjective (shakier, shakiest) 1 shaking and feeling weak because of illness, emotion or old age: Her voice sounded shaky on the phone. * The old man was very shaky on his feet. * My legs still felt quite shaky. 2 not firm or safe; not certain: That ladder looks a little shaky. * a shaky chair / table * (figurative) Her memories of the accident are a little shaky. * (figurative) The protesters are on shaky ground (= it is not certain that their claims are valid). 3 not seeming very successful; likely to fail: Business is looking shaky at the moment. * After a shaky start, they fought back to win 32. * The future looks shaky for the present government. shakily adverb: 'Get the doctor,' he whispered shakily. * Jill rose shakily to her feet.