ramshackly

comparative more ramshackly · superlative most ramshackly

1. Characteristic of something ramshackle; in disrepair; appearing ready to collapse; rickety.

   Who'd buy this ole ramshackly house I'd like to know?

   1895, The Vassar Miscellany, volume 25, page 14

   4 more examples

   It is a good thing that Sir John has managed to let the ramshackly old place to any one,” he said.

   1889, Cassell's Family Magazine, page 698

   “How could you tell me that it was a ramshackly old Mexican house we were coming to? It is as beautiful as the most beautiful palace in a dream!”

   1902, The Cosmopolitan, volume 32, page 90

   "Good morning, Mr. Tutt!" chirped Tutt, hopping out of the ramshackly taxi at five o'clock Thursday morning, just as his equally ramshackly partner emerged fishing rod in hand from the door of the Phoenix House on his way to Chasm Brook.

   1927, Arthur Cheney Train, When Tutt Meets Tutt, page 20

   And finally she slew to a ramshackly halt in a ramshackly heap with the rest of the Sufrogs.

   2011, Gregory Dark, Susie and the Snow-it-alls, page 34

2. figurativelyliteralCarelessly or loosely constructed.

   Mr. Forster twice calls his work "ramshackly." Here and there it is a bit ramshackly, as in the pages on Defoe and in the brief speculations on the future of the novel. But speaking generally, it has order and it has comprehensiveness.

   1974, Arnold Bennett, Andrew Mylett, Arnold Bennett: The Evening Standard Years