Wonkynot straight, balanced, or functioning correctly is an adjective used for something that is not quite straight, even, or working properly. It can describe a thing that leans or wobblesmoves unsteadily from side to side, or something that is crookedbent or not in a straight line to one side.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-12. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ˈwʌŋki/
Easy pronunciation: WUN-kee (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress the first syllable: WUN-kee.
Used here in the sense of unsteady, shaky, or not working quite right.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-12. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Wonky Meaning
unsteady or shaky; not firmly built or working quite right
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: inclined to shake as from weakness or defect
Example: The chair is wonky, so be careful when you sit on it.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- rickety — Works well when something is weak, unstable, or badly built.
- shaky — Good general substitute for something that is not steady.
- wobbly — Fits when something moves from side to side or feels unstable.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-12. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Wonky
Meaning 2
crooked or not straight
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: turned or twisted toward one side
Example: The picture frame is wonky and needs to be straightened.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- askew — A strong substitute for something that is not level or straight.
- awry — Can mean crooked or out of line in this sense.
- cockeyed — Used informally for something crooked or tilted.
- lopsided — Works when one side is lower, heavier, or more tilted than the other.
- skew-whiff — Common mainly in British English; means crooked or not straight.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-12. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Wonky Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- rickety
- shaky
- wobbly
crooked or turned to one side
- askew
- awry
- cockeyed
- lopsided
- skew-whiff
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-12. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Wonky can mean crooked, but it can also mean unstable or not working properly.
- It is usually informal, so it is not always suitable in very formal writing.
- Do not use it for every kind of problem; it specifically suggests something is off, uneven, or unreliable.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-12. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does wonky mean?
Wonky means crooked, uneven, shaky, or not working properly, depending on the context.
What is a simple synonym for wonky?
A simple synonym for wonky is shaky when something is unstable, or crooked when something is not straight.
Is wonky a formal word?
No. Wonky is informal and is more common in everyday speech than in formal writing.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-12. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.