balky

UK:*UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/ˈbɔːkɪ/, /ˈbɔːlkɪ/US:USA pronunciation: IPA and respellingUSA pronunciation: IPA/ˈbɔki/ ,USA pronunciation: respelling(bô′kē)

Inflections of 'balky' (adj):
balkier
adj comparative
balkiest
adj superlative

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025
balk•y /ˈbɔki/USA pronunciation   adj., -i•er, -i•est. 
  1. likely to balk:a balky car engine.
balk•i•ness, n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025
balk•y  (bô′kē),USA pronunciation adj., balk•i•er, balk•i•est. 
  1. given to balking;
    stubborn;
    obstinate:a balky mule.
  • balk + -y1 1840–50
balk′i•ly, adv. 
balk′i•ness, n. 
    contrary, perverse, headstrong, mulish, pigheaded.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
balky, baulky / ˈbɔːkɪ ˈbɔːlkɪ/ (balkier, balkiest, baulkier, baulkiest)
  1. inclined to stop abruptly and unexpectedly: a balky horse
'balky' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
restive

Forum discussions with the word(s) "balky" in the title:


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