What does shakiness mean?
Shakiness is the condition of being unsteady, trembling, or lacking firm stability. Most commonly, it describes a person whose hands, legs, or voice tremble, often because of nervousness, fatigue, illness, or age. It can also characterize something that is weak or insecure, such as an organization or economy. In financial reporting, for example, “market shakiness” describes uncertainty or instability affecting prices and investment. The word conveys movement or vulnerability rather than simply describing a momentary wobble, although the adjective “slight” can make the condition seem minor. “Shakiness” is especially useful where “trembling” focuses on visible movement and “instability” focuses more broadly on a lack of balance or firmness.
The state of being unsteady or trembling, especially in movement or voice.
"There was noticeable shakiness in the horse's legs."
Often used with qualifiers such as “slight,” “considerable,” or “increasing.”
A condition of weakness, uncertainty, or instability in a person, organization, financial market, or system.
"The recession exposed the shakiness of several regional banks."
In economic and financial contexts, it often implies instability or uncertain conditions rather than literal movement.
Usually treated as an uncountable noun; the plural is rare and appropriate only when referring to separate instances or types of shakiness.
"The doctors documented the patient's shakinesses under different conditions."
Shakiness can describe trembling hands, a wavering voice, or an unstable market—three very different forms of uncertainty in motion.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does shakiness come from?
“Shakiness” was formed in the early 19th century from “shaky,” which in turn comes from the verb “shake.” The verb ultimately derives from an Old English word meaning to move or agitate rapidly. “Shaky” is also related to forms such as “quaking,” though the two now differ in their usual associations: “shaky” commonly suggests nervousness or instability.
Related word forms
How shakiness is actually used
The word is common in informal and formal contexts. It is often associated with nervousness, age, illness, or anxiety when describing a person, while in economics and finance it can refer more broadly to instability or uncertainty.