What does BALKY mean?

Parts of Speech

adjective

Definitions

• (of a horse or other animal) refusing to go on; stubbornly standing still or resisting forward movement.
• uncooperative; unwilling to work or comply.

Pronunciations

• US: /ˈbɔlki/
• UK: /ˈbɔːlki/

Origin and Usage

The word "balky" is believed to have originated in the United States in the early 19th century. It is derived from the word "balk," which means to stop short and refuse to go on. The word is most commonly used to describe a horse or other animal that refuses to move forward, but it can also be used to describe a person who is uncooperative or resistant to change.

Synonyms

• stubborn
• uncooperative
• obstinate
• recalcitrant
• intractable

Related Words

• block
• chalk
• flaky
• leaky
• milky

Example Sentences

• The balky horse refused to move, no matter how hard the rider kicked.
• Her balky attitude made it difficult to work with her on the project.