rickety

USAGE SUMMARY

'rickety' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is used to describe something that is weak, shaky, or fragile. Example sentence: She had to be careful on the rickety staircase, as it creaked and shook with every step.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

For much of the next two months I would be travelling on rickety buses along perilous mountain roads.

The Guardian - Travel

I crossed some on ferries so rickety it took all my courage to ride up the wobbly ramps.

The Guardian - Travel

Conference side Macclesfield Town faced a winding-up order during the summer after finishing last season £500,000 in debt and were bailed out by Cheshire East council, who paid them £285,000 for the freehold of their rickety stadium Moss Rose.

The Guardian - Sport

With the rent on this eastern Paris flat still fixed at postwar prices, Cauchetier was able to travel the world as a photographer, always returning up the rickety winding stairs to the fifth-floor set of rooms where his single mother raised him while scrabbling to make an income from piano tuition and nursing.

The Guardian - Arts

As far as I know, Dani still owns a rickety camera held together with sticky tape, with which he takes amazing photographs.

The Guardian - Travel

They were mean streets around Broadway and West Broadway – little rickety tenement buildings with visible fire escapes and picturesque early cast-iron former factories and warehouses.

The Guardian - Opinion

"People fleeing atrocities will not stop coming if we stop throwing them life-rings; boarding a rickety boat in Libya will remain a seemingly rational decision if you're running for your life and your country is in flames.

The Guardian

She levelled the rickety old buildings of corporate state Britain, brutally.

The Guardian

From Istiklal catch the rickety red tram to Taksim Square, the heart of modern Istanbul and scene of last year's anti-government protests.

The Guardian - Travel

The old walled towns are densely packed with medieval churches, Arabic forts, watchtowers, palaces, bodegas, tobacconists, scooters, bars full of bullfighting paraphernalia, kids on pink bicycles, and people eating fish at rickety tables that block the traffic.

The Guardian - Travel

From humble beginnings in rickety wooden huts, GCHQ has become the keystone of Britain's spy agencies, and its "doughnut" headquarters in Cheltenham is probably the most remarkable building ever constructed in the UK.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a physical structure, use "rickety" to vividly convey its poor condition and potential instability, enhancing the reader's understanding of its state.

Common error

Avoid using "rickety" to describe abstract concepts like plans or ideas. "Rickety" is best suited for describing physical objects that are unstable or poorly constructed. Use words like "tenuous" or "flawed" instead for abstract concepts.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "rickety" primarily functions as a descriptive word, modifying nouns to indicate a state of instability, weakness, or poor construction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable adjective.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Travel

20%

Opinion

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rickety" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adjective that describes something unstable, weak, or poorly constructed. Ludwig's analysis confirms its usability and provides numerous real-world examples. While versatile, it is best suited for describing physical objects and should be avoided for abstract concepts. For formal contexts, synonyms like "unstable" or "precarious" may be more appropriate. Its prevalence in news and travel writing underscores its descriptive power in conveying a sense of fragility and potential danger.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unstable

Focuses on the lack of stability or firmness.

shaky

Emphasizes the trembling or unsteady nature.

decrepit

Highlights the state of being worn out or ruined, especially by age.

ramshackle

Implies a state of disrepair and being loosely held together.

wobbly

Suggests an inclination to wobble or sway.

flimsy

Indicates a lack of strength or substance.

fragile

Stresses the ease with which something can be broken or damaged.

precarious

Indicates a state of uncertainty or instability that could lead to danger.

dilapidated

Focuses on the state of being in disrepair or ruin as a result of age or neglect.

unsteady

Describes a lack of steadiness or stability.

FAQs

How can I use "rickety" in a sentence?

You can use "rickety" to describe objects that are unstable or poorly constructed. For example, "The "rickety bridge" swayed in the wind", or "They lived in a "rickety old house" near the forest".

What words can I use instead of "rickety"?

Alternatives to "rickety" include "unstable", "shaky", or "decrepit" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "rickety" in formal writing?

While "rickety" is widely understood, it's generally more suitable for descriptive writing or informal contexts. In formal writing, consider using synonyms like "unstable" or "precarious" for a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "rickety" and "ramshackle"?

"Rickety" emphasizes instability and potential collapse, whereas "ramshackle" emphasizes a state of disrepair and being loosely assembled. A "rickety" chair might fall apart if you sit on it, while a "ramshackle" building simply looks poorly maintained.