wobble

[ wob-uhl ]

verb (used without object)

, wob·bled, wob·bling.

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)

, wob·bled, wob·bling.

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

Derived Forms

• ˈwobbler, noun

Other Words From

• wobbler 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

That hope wavered and wobbled throughout a 28-20 win over Nebraska, as USC’s new quarterback looked equally dynamic and confounding at different junctures.

From Los Angeles Times

He would strike 'knuckleballs', where rather than the ball spiralling through the air cleanly, it would wobble erratically.

From BBC

To wobble on the big decisions would be politically disastrous.

From BBC

"Eventually you start to slip and you start to wobble and fall apart. The longer that you've been doing that, the more severe the collapse of that is going to be."

From BBC

Flaherty briefly wobbled in the fifth, giving up back-to-back singles to lead off the inning.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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