wobble

American  

[wob-uhl] / ˈwɒb əl /

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.

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verb (used with object)

wobbled, wobbling

1. to cause to wobble.

noun

1. a wobbling movement.

wobble British  

/ 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

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noun

1. a wobbling movement, motion, or sound

Other Word Forms

• wobbler noun

Etymology

Origin of wobble

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

Explanation

When things wobble, they teeter or rock unsteadily back and forth. A brand new bike rider is bound to wobble a little bit when she's pedaling down the street. A cafe table might wobble annoyingly until you prop up one leg with folded paper. And, when you first step off an amusement park ride, your legs might wobble for a while. Your voice can wobble too, or tremble, especially when you're upset or nervous. People wobble figuratively too: "When politicians wobble on important issues, it's hard to trust them."

Example Sentences

Captain Matt Grimes has also delivered motivational messages to the squad - including inspirational talks about other title-winning sides - which have proved crucial, especially when the side had a wobble in January.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

Banks’ exposure to private credit caused stocks to wobble in February.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

Four were lost in the powerplay against the United States in their other big wobble, before captain Suryakumar Yadav bailed them out.

From BBC • Mar. 2, 2026

That internal structure controls the planet's slow wobble in space, known as precession.

From Science Daily • Feb. 27, 2026

And I'll admit it: The rush of blood did make me wobble and take hold of the corner of the metal table I’d been lying on, to keep myself from falling down.

From "100 Sideways Miles" by Andrew Smith

Related Words

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