wobble

[wob-uhl]

verb (used without object)

wobbled, wobbling 

1. to incline to one side and to the other alternately, as a wheel, top, or other rotating body when not properly balanced.

2. to move unsteadily from side to side.

   The table wobbled on its uneven legs.

3. to show unsteadiness; tremble; quaver.

   His voice wobbled.

4. to vacillate; waver.

verb (used with object)

wobbled, wobbling 

1. to cause to wobble.

noun

1. a wobbling movement.

wobble

/ ˈwɒbəl /

verb

1. (intr) to move, rock, or sway unsteadily

2. (intr) to tremble or shake

   her voice wobbled with emotion

3. (intr) to vacillate with indecision

4. (tr) to cause to wobble

noun

1. a wobbling movement, motion, or sound

Other Word Forms

• wobbler noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of wobble¹

1650–60; < Low German wabbeln; akin to Old Norse vafla to toddle, Middle High German wabelen to waver, Old English wæflian to speak incoherently

Word History and Origins

Origin of wobble¹

C17: variant of wabble, from Low German wabbeln; related to Middle High German wabelen to _waver

Example Sentences

Liverpool have lost two straight games in the Premier League and Champions League, but is this a wobble or something more serious?

From BBC

For all their wobbles, they are only five points off the top four.

From BBC

The raw apples still hold their bite, the custard still wobbles slightly in the center, the apple butter streaks melt into warm pockets of spice.

From Salon

As public trust in the integrity of CDC guidelines wobbles, alternative sources for information have stepped up.

From Los Angeles Times

Pegula was not without her own service wobbles, throwing away a double break lead in the sixth game as Krejcikova sniffed another unlikely comeback.

From BBC

Related Words

• careen 
• falter 
• flounder 
• lurch 
• oscillate 
• quiver 
• reel 
• seesaw 
• shimmy 
• stumble 
• sway 
• teeter 
• totter 
• tremble 
• vacillate 
• vibrate 
• waver 
• wiggle