ramshackle

[ ram-shak-uhl ]

adjective

1. loosely made or held together; rickety; shaky:

   a ramshackle house.

   Synonyms: flimsy, derelict, dilapidated

ramshackle

/ ˈræmˌʃækəl /

adjective

1. (esp of buildings) badly constructed or maintained; rickety, shaky, or derelict

Other Words From

• ramshackle·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of ramshackle¹

1815–25; compare earlier rans(h)ackled, obscurely akin to ransack

Word History and Origins

Origin of ramshackle¹

C17 ramshackled , from obsolete ransackle to ransack

Example Sentences

There’s also a toddler in this ramshackle flat, so be sure to table your judgment about youth raising children from multiple partners.

From Los Angeles Times

No promises this ramshackle country will get all the way to Tuesday.

From Slate

It’s hard to imagine that this ramshackle organization, teetering on the edge of collapse, and run by a complete clown, could light more than half a block, but having no idea how Australian utility companies are organized, I’m just going to let that go.

From Los Angeles Times

People like Corey Lewandowski, Steve Bannon, Kellyanne Conway, Paul Manafort, Brad Parscale, and Bill Stepien became household names for their roles in overseeing the ramshackle Trump operation, the “strategy” for which was determined by whatever the candidate had on his mind at any given moment.

From Slate

Ironically, as the book goes on, he finds purpose in restoring this land, this ramshackle cabin that his father left behind, and I found purpose in writing this book that breathed life back into me again.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• broken-down
• crumbling
• decrepit
• derelict
• dilapidated
• flimsy
• rickety
• shabby