unsteady

[ uhn-sted-ee ]

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.

verb (used with object)

unsteadied, unsteadying.

1. to make unsteady.

unsteady

/ 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

verb

1. tr to make unsteady

Derived Forms

• unˈsteadiness, noun
• unˈsteadily, adverb

Other Word Forms

• un·steadi·ly adverb
• un·steadi·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of unsteady¹

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

Synonym Study

See unsettled.

Example Sentences

“A Working Man” strikes an unsteady balance between solemn and ridiculous.

From Los Angeles Times

The taxi driver told the court he was complaining he had lost money and was "rude, drunk and unsteady".

From BBC

He was shuffling and unsteady on his feet.

From Los Angeles Times

If you look closely, that footage of Stram is a bit jiggling and unsteady.

From Los Angeles Times

Her absence, combined with an unsteady early performance and the unprecedented attack from her fire chief, have only intensified her vulnerabilities.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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