adj
wonky
WONG-kih
Wonky (adj) means not straight or properly aligned; wobbly or unstable. Example: “One leg of the table is shorter, so it sits wonky on the floor.”
adj
1
Not straight or properly aligned; wobbly or unstable.
"One leg of the table is shorter, so it sits wonky on the floor."
"His handwriting got wonky near the end of the exam."
2
Malfunctioning in an inconsistent, hard-to-pin-down way (of a device or system).
"My laptop's trackpad has gone wonky since the last update."
3
Full of technical detail or jargon; aimed at specialists.
"The policy paper got pretty wonky once it reached the tax formulas."
How to use wonky
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSlightly off, wobbly, or glitchy — or, in a completely different sense, overly technical and detail-heavy.
Common mistake
The "off-kilter/glitchy" sense and the "overly technical" sense are unrelated in practice — context makes clear which one is meant.
Common pairings
a wonky wheel
the wifi is being wonky
a wonky policy debate
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Word forms
- Comparative
- wonkier
- Superlative
- wonkiest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
One leg of the table is shorter, so it sits _____ on the floor.
Etymology
From a British dialect word "wanky," itself from Old English wancol, "unstable, shaky."
Related words
Rhymes for wonky
See all rhymes for wonky →Frequently asked questions
What does “wonky” mean?
The word “wonky” means not straight or properly aligned; wobbly or unstable. In plain terms, slightly off, wobbly, or glitchy — or, in a completely different sense, overly technical and detail-heavy.
How do you pronounce “wonky”?
“Wonky” is pronounced WONG-kih (/ˈwɑŋ.ki/ in IPA).
How do you use “wonky” in a sentence?
Here is “wonky” used in a sentence: “One leg of the table is shorter, so it sits wonky on the floor.”
What part of speech is “wonky”?
“Wonky” is an adjective.
Where does the word “wonky” come from?
The word “wonky” comes from Old English. From a British dialect word "wanky," itself from Old English wancol, "unstable, shaky.".
How many meanings does “wonky” have?
“Wonky” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: not straight or properly aligned; wobbly or unstable.
