unsteady

American  

[uhn-sted-ee] / ʌnˈstɛd i /

adjective

1. not steady or firm; unstable; shaky.

   an unsteady hand.

2. fluctuating or wavering.

   an unsteady flame; unsteady prices.

   Synonyms:

   vacillating

3. irregular or uneven.

   an unsteady development.

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verb (used with object)

unsteadied, unsteadying

1. to make unsteady.

unsteady British  

/ ʌnˈstɛdɪ /

adjective

1. not securely fixed

   an unsteady foothold

2. (of behaviour, etc) lacking constancy; erratic

3. without regularity

   an unsteady rhythm

4. (of a manner of walking, etc) precarious, staggering, as from intoxication

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verb

1. (tr) to make unsteady

Related Words

See unsettled.

Other Word Forms

• unsteadily adverb
• unsteadiness noun

Etymology

Origin of unsteady

First recorded in 1525–35; un- ¹ + steady

Example Sentences

It is now a ramshackle, seemingly lost-in-time metropolis where residents sit on porches observing the unsteady progress of cars navigating pothole-ridden streets.

From Los Angeles Times

As Jonathan scrambled across the unsteady ground, he clenched his teeth, bracing himself for the impact.

From Literature

The 28-year-old beat the count but looked unsteady, and a sharp follow-up combination forced the referee to wave it off.

From BBC

I did not like to see my strong Togbe unsteady on his feet like that.

From Literature

“Okay,” I mumble, my feet unsteady, like they can’t hold me up anymore.

From Literature

Related Words

• erratic
• groggy
• precarious
• rickety
• rocky
• unstable
• wobbly