What is the Latin word for unstable?

The usual Latin words for “unstable” are īnstabilis, vagus, gradus; also incēdō, vultus. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

English → Latin

“unstable” in Latin

īnstabilisunsteady, unstable, shaky; inconstant, changeable, fickle vaguswandering, rambling, strolling, roving, roaming, unfixed, unsettled, vagrant; wandering, wavering, unsteady, inconstant,gradusa step, pace; a grade; a stage, degree incēdōto walk, stride, step, march (along); to walk or move … etc. with divine presence or attributes; to advance (move forwar vultusa facial expression, look, countenance; the front of the head, face; the face as involved in looking; the view, gaze

Riddle & Arnold A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon, 1864

unstable

instabilis (that does not stand fast or on firm ground; e.g., gradus, incessus): vagus (erring about, not settled; of persons and things; hence = inconstant; e.g., vita, life; vultus, look).

Quick answer

What is the Latin word for unstable?: The usual Latin words for “unstable” are īnstabilis, vagus, gradus; also incēdō, vultus. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

Entry from J. E. Riddle & T. K. Arnold, A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon (rev. C. Anthon, New York: Harper, 1864), digitised by Fergus J. P. Walsh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Latin markup adapted by latindictionary.co.