WordGarden.iorickety
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /rˈɪkɪti/
US
- /ˈrɪkəti/
Meanings
Adjective
shaky, weak, and likely to collapse or break
weakly organized, unsound, or likely to fail
Beyond the definition
Imagine an old wooden bridge swaying in the wind: that's what this word brings to mind. It describes something old, worn out, and not safely solid anymore. A rickety chair might wobble when you sit down, and a rickety staircase might creak with every step. You would not trust a rickety building, ladder, or cart to hold much weight. It often suggests something fragile in a way that can seem charming or a little dangerous. Old pirate ships, broken fences, and abandoned farmhouses are often described this way.
The word "rickety" paints a picture of something unsteady, shaky, and in poor condition because of age or disrepair. It is more than just "old"; it suggests a real lack of stability and a strong chance that the thing could break, collapse, or fail. Think of a weathered wooden fence leaning precariously: that is rickety.
The term's history is quite unusual. It was first linked to rickets, a disease that weakens the bones and can make movement unsteady. Over time, the word shifted from describing people to describing objects such as furniture, stairs, wagons, or vehicles that feel weak and unsafe. "The old wagon was rickety and threatened to fall apart with every bump in the road."
However, "rickety" isn't limited to physical objects. You can also use it figuratively to describe something unreliable or precarious. For example, a "rickety plan" is one that is poorly thought out and likely to fail under the slightest pressure.
The charm of "rickety" often lies in the feeling it creates. A rickety old cabin might seem full of history and rustic beauty, even as you step inside carefully. Yet the word always carries a sense of weakness and risk. So, if something is described as rickety, expect a wobble, a creak, and at least a small chance that it may not hold together for long.
Examples
- 1
Unsafe object
Don't lean on that fence. It looks rickety.
- 2
Stairs
We climbed the rickety stairs to the attic.
- 3
Old building
They spent the night in a rickety old cabin by the lake.
- 4
Old vehicle
The old bus was slow and rickety, but everyone loved riding in it.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Business systems
The company grew so fast that it was running on a rickety system of spreadsheets and late-night fixes.
- Patternrunning on + system/tool
using it as the basis for how something works
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- ricketyadjective