Definition

Noun: 1. The quality or state of being physically unsteady or trembling: The condition of having slight, rapid, involuntary movements, often due to weakness, nervousness, or illness. 2. The quality of being unstable, insecure, or not firmly fixed: A lack of stability, firmness, or reliability in a non-physical sense, such as in a situation, system, or argument.

Usage Examples

• The shakiness in her hands made it difficult for her to pour the tea.
• After the long hike, he felt a noticeable shakiness in his legs.
• The economic shakiness of the country worried international investors.
• There is a fundamental shakiness to his theory that other scholars have criticized.

Advanced Usage

• "to betray a shakiness": to reveal or show one's lack of steadiness or confidence.
  • His voice betrayed a slight shakiness when he discussed the sensitive topic.
• "inherent shakiness": a fundamental instability that is a built-in characteristic.
  • The treaty's inherent shakiness was due to vague terms and lack of enforcement mechanisms.

Variants and Related Words

• Shaky (adjective): unsteady, trembling, or not solid/secure.
  • He gave a shaky performance due to nerves.
  • The table is shaky; one leg is loose.
• Shake (verb/noun): the action that causes or the instance of shakiness.
  • A strong wind can shake the house.
  • He gave the bottle a good shake.

Synonyms

• Tremor: A slight, involuntary movement, often medical.
• Unsteadiness: Lack of balance or stability.
• Instability: The state of being likely to change or fail.
• Insecurity: Lack of safety or confidence.

Related Phrases

• A case of the shakes: (Idiomatic, informal) An instance of noticeable trembling.
  • After the frightening experience, she had a real case of the shakes.
• On shaky ground: (Idiom) In an unstable or uncertain position, especially regarding an argument or belief.
  • His accusations are on shaky ground without any evidence.

Noun

1. the quality of being unstable and insecure
   • the shakiness of the present regime
2. a shaky motion
   • the shaking of his fingers as he lit his pipe