Definition of RICKETY

rickety

Adjective Satellite

  • inclined to shake as from weakness or defect
    • "a rickety table"
  • affected with, suffering from, or characteristic of rickets
    • "rickety limbs and joints"
  • lacking bodily or muscular strength or vitality

Adj

  • Of an object: not strong or sturdy, as because of poor construction or upkeep; not safe or secure.
  • Feeble in the joints; tottering.
  • Affected with or suffering from rickets; rachitic.

Examples

  • "He hesitated about climbing such a small, rickety ladder."
  • "The rickety old man hardly managed to climb the stairs."

Origin / Etymology

From dialectal ricket (“unstable, rickety”) + -y, and/or ricket (“to move noisily and in a reckless way”) + -y.
Alternatively, and perhaps less likely, from rickets + -y.

Scrabble Score: 16

rickety is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
rickety is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
rickety is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 16

rickety is a valid Words With Friends word