- 1
Of an object: not strong or sturdy, as because of poor construction or upkeep; not safe or secure.
- He hesitated about climbing such a small, rickety ladder.
- 2
Feeble in the joints; tottering.
- The rickety old man hardly managed to climb the stairs.
- 3
Affected with or suffering from rickets; rachitic.
syn. bockety · bone-shaking · craichy · cranky · creaky · creaking · drooping · flimsy · precarious · unsteady · rickety · rottletrap
ant. firm · resilient · robust · rugged · safe · secure · solid · stalwart