rickety

adjective

rick·​ety ˈri-kə-tē How to pronounce rickety (audio)
1
: affected with rickets
2
a
: lacking stability or firmness : shaky sense 2a
a rickety coalition
b
: in unsound physical condition
rickety veterans
rickety stairs

Examples of rickety in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Griff's was a cozy space inside with a small, rickety wooden patio in the front and a larger one in the back. Brianna Griff, Chron, 13 Jan. 2023 Instead of rickety outdoor patios with plastic partitions, diners mostly ate in dining rooms. Nick Kindelsperger, Chicago Tribune, 28 Dec. 2022 See all Example Sentences for rickety 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rickety.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1673, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rickety was in 1673

Dictionary Entries Near rickety

Cite this Entry

“Rickety.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rickety. Accessed 29 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

rickety

adjective
rick·​ety ˈrik-ət-ē How to pronounce rickety (audio)
1
: in weak physical condition
a rickety old man
2
: unsound sense 3, shaky
a rickety wagon

Medical Definition

rickety

adjective
rick·​ety ˈrik-ət-ē How to pronounce rickety (audio)
: affected with rickets : rachitic
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