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

Her gritty half-century laid the foundation for a competitive total after the Kiwis had wobbled to 38-3.

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Beaumont, who has scores of 21 not out and 13 at this World Cup, said overcoming a wobble against Bangladesh will serve England well.

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Despite a few service wobbles in the closing stages, Sabalenka took a comfortable win to set up the tie with Pegula - a player against whom she has won eight of her 10 meetings.

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

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

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Related Words

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