What does tottery mean?
Tottery means unsteady or shaky, particularly in a person's balance, gait, or legs. Someone described as tottery may sway, wobble, or seem likely to fall, and the word can also characterize anything physically unstable. Unlike the broader word shaky, tottery gives a particular impression of impaired balance, so it often appears in descriptions of an older person's walk, a trembling child, or an unstable chair or table. In such contexts it can be descriptive and natural, though its frequent use for elderly people may carry a faintly patronizing or diminishing undertone. Tottery is relatively uncommon, but it is more expressive than unstable and more focused than wobbly. It is especially useful when balance is the central issue rather than trembling in general. Speakers in both British and American English use the word, with British usage perhaps more frequent. Its distinctive sound and clear physical associations make it effective in literary description and precise everyday observation.
adjectiveUnsteady or shaky, especially in balance or movement.
- Unsteady or shaky, especially in balance, movement, or physical support.
"The old chair was tottery, so he sat down carefully."
"Her knees were tottery after the long climb."
"The witness gave a tottery account of what had happened."
Tottery captures the particular feeling of balance giving way: knees that wobble, a chair that will not hold still, or a walk that seems one gust away from a fall.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does tottery come from?
Tottery was formed in English by adding the adjective-forming suffix -y to the verb totter. The verb, meaning to move or walk unsteadily, is attested from the early modern period. Its ultimate origin is uncertain, so attributing it to a particular earlier language would be speculative.
Related word forms
How tottery is actually used
Tottery is relatively uncommon and more specific than shaky because it suggests instability of balance. It is often used for someone's gait or legs, particularly an older person's, and can therefore sound slightly evaluative or faintly patronizing.
Easily confused with tottery
A totter is a person or thing that moves unsteadily, while tottery is an adjective describing something as unsteady.