balky — reluctant to proceed or act; stubborn and uncooperative
Part of speech: ADJECTIVE
Definition: reluctant to proceed or act; stubborn and uncooperative
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈbɔːlki/
Example Sentences
- My laptop gets balky whenever I have an important presentation due.
- The old printer is so balky that we have to sweet-talk it into working.
- The negotiations stalled because both sides became increasingly balky.
balky
ADJECTIVE[/ˈbɔːlki/]
reluctant to proceed or act; stubborn and uncooperative
a brown horse plants its hooves firmly on the ground and refuses to move forward despite gentle pulling on its reins. The horse's ears are pinned back and its body is rigid with determination not to budge. A young rider tugs hopefully on the lead rope but the horse remains completely motionless. The rider's face shows growing frustration as other horses around them walk obediently with their handlers. Several stable workers pause their activities to watch the standoff unfold. the horse being reluctant to proceed and stubbornly uncooperative
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From early 19th-century American English, derived from the verb 'balk' meaning to hesitate or refuse. Originally used to describe horses that would suddenly stop and refuse to move forward.
Breakdown
balk (to refuse or hesitate) + -y (adjective suffix meaning 'having the quality of')
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My laptop gets balky whenever I have an important presentation due.”
“The old printer is so balky that we have to sweet-talk it into working.”
“The negotiations stalled because both sides became increasingly balky.”
“His balky attitude toward change made him unpopular with his progressive colleagues.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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