wonky
wonky Lexical Profile
wonky Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Crooked, off-center, askew, or unsteady on its base.
"We had to fold a piece of cardboard under the wonky table leg to keep our drinks from spilling."
Not functioning properly; faulty, unreliable, or erratic.
"The wireless internet connection has been acting wonky all afternoon, making it difficult to finish the video call."
American Characterized by an intense, studious interest in technical or bureaucratic details (especially in public policy or politics).
"The candidate's speech was full of wonky proposals about municipal zoning codes and tax credits."
Word Nuance & Usage
In general British and American usage, 'wonky' means crooked, shaky, or malfunctioning, whereas in American political and media contexts, it derives from 'policy wonk' to describe something overly technical or obsessed with minute policy details.
• Rhymes for wonky
Word Origin & Etymology
First recorded in British slang in the early 20th century, likely derived from the English dialectal word 'wank' or 'wanky' (meaning weak or unsteady), ultimately tracing back to Old English 'wancol' (unstable, wavering). The American political sense emerged independently in the late 20th century as an adjective formed from the noun 'wonk' (a studious person or policy expert).