unstable
adjectiveverbcommon in dialogue
- //ʌnˈsteɪ.bəl//
Not stable.
adjective
- 1
Not stable.
unstable foundation
The structure is too unstable to stand safely.
The hillside at this point is composed of shaly rock overlaid with a peaty loam which carries a growth of heather, and its unstable condition has resulted in two landslides in the course of the railway's history.
- 2
Having a strong tendency to change.
- 3
Fluctuating; not constant.
politically unstable
The political situation remains unstable.
- 4
figurativeFickle.
- 5
figurativeUnpredictable.
All of the characters in Rocko's Modern Life are anthropomorphic animals of varying species, the vast majority of whom are mentally unstable. Murray said that he matched personalities of his characters to the various animals in the series to form a social caricature.
- 6
Readily decomposable.
chemically unstable
- 7
Radioactive, especially with a short half-life.
Etymology
From Middle English unstable; equivalent to un- (not) + stable.
verb
- 1
To release (an animal) from a stable.
When the last tune of music floated from the fleet, he unstabled his quarter horse and headed for the coastal road leading west and north on his circuit.
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂ent- Proto-Indo-European *-s Proto-Indo-European *h₂éntsder. Proto-Germanic *anda- Proto-West Germanic *anda- Old English and- Old English on- Middle English on- English un- English stable English unstable From un- (reversive prefix) + stable.
Forms
- comparative
- more unstable
- superlative
- most unstable
- past tense
- unstabled
- past participle
- unstabled
- present participle
- unstabling
- third person singular
- unstables