rhizoverbBeta
DictionarywonkyCrooked or unsteady
adjective

wonky

WAHNG-kee/ˈwɑːŋki/

Unsteady or unreliable in form or operation.

The wonky stool tilts on a crooked leg with a separating joint.

A wonky wooden stool with a crooked, loose leg: its seat tilts, one foot fails to meet the level floor, and a leg joint is visibly separating.
Etymology

Origin uncertain. Old English wancol, “unsteady,” is a possible relative, but the connection is not strong enough for a root link.

In context

Becca Berk28:59
I feel like the fold over is what can end up looking kind of wavy and wonky for knit fabrics.
sewing cutie pajamas because pretty sleepwear solves everything 🎀

More examples

  • That shelf looks wonky because one end sits higher.
  • My phone's keyboard gets wonky when the screen is wet.
  • The cart's steering feels wonkier with a heavy load.

Forms

wonky · wonkier · wonkiest

Similar words

crooked
Describes a shape or position that is not straight.
unsteady
Emphasizes wobbling or instability rather than failure to work.
unreliable
Emphasizes inconsistent performance, not a crooked shape or wobble.